More than 100,000 supporters of Georgia's opposition took to the streets Thursday, calling for the resignation of President Mikhail Saakashvili, local media reported. Former presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze claimed that the demonstrators in the capital Tbilisi alone amounted to 150,000, while independent observers said the number was 80,000 at the most.

There were also demonstrations attended by thousands in Batumi, Poti and other Georgian cities.

Former Georgian foreign minister Salome Surabishvili, quoted by the Interfax news agency, vowed that the demonstrations would not end until Saakashvili had stepped down.

The demonstrations, which began Wednesday, were timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of April 9, 1989 of confrontation by Georgians with troops of the then Soviet Union.

In a wreath-laying ceremony, Saakshvili also commemorated the event, which resulted in the deaths of 20 people and 100 injured.

The 41-year-old Saakashvili was restrained in his reaction to the demonstrations, saying that people in a democracy had the right to express their opinions.

The opposition accuses Saakashvili of leading an authoritarian government, and is to blame for the disastrous August war with Russia, in which Georgia's breakaway republics Abkhazia and South Ossetia won recognition from Moscow.

Speaking to demonstrators, Gachechiladze said: "Saakashvili suppresses Georgian values, and he has divided our country."

While Saakashvili came to power during a popular uprising in 2003, many of his former allies have joined the opposition, accusing him of falling short on his promises. Western political analysts however see no political leader in Georgia in a position to oust him before his term in office ends in 2013.

Georgia's opposition is often accused of having no political programme of its own and is deeply divided.

URL: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/263836,tens-of-thousands-of-georgians-call-for-saakashvilis-resignation.html