Thousands at Georgia rally

Security forces are on the streets of the capital Tbilisi

Anti-government protesters in Georgia have spent a second day demonstrating against the delay of Sunday's election results.

Main opposition leader Mikhail Saakashvili again called on President Eduard Shevardnadze to resign or concede victory.

The president has said attempts to force him to step down are futile and ordered police on to the streets.

The rally by an estimated 4,000 follows Tuesday's protest when up to 15,000 gathered to express their anger at alleged election fraud.

Final results from Sunday's election 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.

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

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

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

The opposition's midday deadline for Mr Shevardnadze to resign passed apparently without incident.

The president was defiant despite the protests.

"Don't threaten me," he said. "Attempts to force me to step down are futile. All those responsible for inciting violence and disobeying legal authorities will have to answer for their deeds in accordance with our laws."

'New Georgia'

By the time of Tuesday's protest, election officials said they had counted only half the votes.

Thousands of protesters are angered by the results being delayed

The authorities have blamed the slow count on organisational problems. But the opposition says the delay is a deliberate attempt to manipulate the results in favour of parties supporting Mr Shevardnadze

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.

"I will not withdraw the call for the president to resign immediately unless the National Movement's victory is recognised. People have supported us because they do not want these thieves and bandits to steal victory from the National Movement and the people of Georgia."

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

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

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

French news agency AFP said police had stopped several buses heading to demonstrations at the town of Poti, 350 kilometres (220 miles) west of Tbilisi.

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.