In pictures: Georgia protests

Tens of thousands of opposition supporters in Georgia have been taking part in protests calling for the resignation of President Mikhail Saakashvili.

Demonstrators gathered in front of the parliament building in the capital, Tbilisi, to hear speeches by opposition leaders.

Opposition leaders accuse Mr Saakashvili of mishandling last year's conflict with Russia over the breakaway region of South Ossetia, and of being increasingly autocratic.

They say the president has also failed to keep the promises of reform he made in the Rose Revolution that swept him to power in 2003.

Riot police are on standby, though both the opposition and authorities called for peaceful demonstrations.

Opposition supporters say they will demonstrate every day outside parliament until Mr Saakashvili quits.

The rally took place on the 20th anniversary of the suppression by Soviet troops of a pro-independence demonstration. Mr Saakashvili and opposition leaders both attended a memorial ceremony.

The 1989 protests led to Georgia�s independence. Correspondents say the opposition wanted to remind people that in the past, Georgians have achieved political change by taking to the streets.