Georgian protesters want President Saakashvili out

Crowds gathered outside the presidential offices in Tbilisi yesterday to demand the removal of President Mikheil Saakashvili, whose term in office they say should be ending.

Protesters said the President's second term should expire today, five years from his inauguration. The constitution limits the presidential term to five years but does not call for elections until October this year.

Mr Saakashvili's National Movement party was defeated in parliamentary elections in October. Bidzina Ivanishvili became Prime Minister, forcing a difficult cohabitation.

Reuters