Protesters gather for Georgia rally

Demonstrators said the future of Georgia was at stake

Anti-government demonstrators in Georgia are gathering for a second day of protests after Sunday's general election.

Main opposition leader Mikhail Saakashvili has told President Eduard Shevardnadze that he must resign by midday on Wednesday or concede victory.

Large number of police and security forces were being deployed in the capital, Tbilisi, as protesters gathered ahead of the deadline.

Mr Shevardnadze said security forces should do their utmost to prevent "destabilisation" of the situation.

On Tuesday, up to 15,000 people took to the streets of the former Soviet republic to express their anger at alleged election fraud.

We must demonstrate to the authorities that we no longer want to live under the old regime, that we want a new Georgia Mikhail Saakashvili National Movement leader

Final results have not been declared, and international election monitors say they found "spectacular" flaws in the way the poll was conducted.

Interim results give a narrow lead to the pro-Shevardnadze bloc, contrasting with exit polls.

The United States has expressed concern at election irregularities and called for an honest, timely count of votes.

State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said Washington had seen "inaccuracies in the voter list that lessened voter confidence in the election process".

Early results show Shevardnadze bloc ahead

Opposition supporters also said they suffered intimidation, and there were claims of ballot boxes being stuffed with forged votes.

Mr Shevardnadze's press secretary on Wednesday dismissed the resignation demand.

"This is not only an incomprehensible and absolutely groundless demand by a small pack of politicians, I would say, but it also implies quite far-reaching plans," said Kakha Imnadze.

'New Georgia'

By the time of Tuesday's protest, election officials said they had counted only half the votes - giving the lead to the pro-government bloc of Mr Shevardnadze.

INTERIM RESULTS For a New Georgia 25% National Movement 23% Labour Party 15% Democrats 9% New Right Party 8% Revival Party 7% Source: Georgian Central Elections Commission

Speakers who addressed the crowd said the future of the ex-Soviet state was at stake.

"They falsified the election," said Mr Saakashvili, whose National Movement is in second place.

"We must demonstrate to the authorities that we no longer want to live under the old regime, that we want a new Georgia."

"I appeal to you to defend your own votes, the dignity of your country, and the future of our children," said another opposition leader, parliament speaker Nino Burdzhanadze.

And former speaker Zurab Zhvania told the crowd: "We are ready to fight to the very end. It's our last chance."

Election officials say Mr Shevardnadze's For a New Georgia bloc is leading with about 25% support, the National Movement is on about 23% and the Labour Party on 15%.

Ms Burdzhanadze's party, the Democrats, had a showing of 9%.

Election officials say a final result should be declared later this week, although no date has been given.