Georgian opposition shifts focus

By Chloe Arnold
BBC, Tbilisi

Troops are still guarding the president's offices

Opposition supporters in Georgia have announced the suspension of rallies in the capital Tbilisi over the weekend.

They said they were taking their protest, calling for President Eduard Shevardnadze's resignation, to the regions.

The announcement came the day after more than 10,000 protesters surrounded the president's office.

They were demanding he step down following a disputed parliamentary election.

The ashes of half a dozen fires were all that remained outside the parliament building on Saturday following a week of protests.

The rallies have been suspended until Monday, but opposition leaders warned they will continue until their demands are met.

They have called on Georgians to rally in regional centres and to begin nationwide strikes.

Several opposition members of parliament have gone on hunger strike.

Civil war threat

The protests began a week ago following a parliamentary election the opposition claims was rigged in the government's favour.

Western observers also condemned the vote saying they had witnessed spectacular irregularities.

Mr Shevardnadze, who shows no signs of backing down, has warned of the threat of civil war.

He spoke to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin twice in 24 hours as part of an attempt to bolster support from Georgia's neighbours.

Western governments are concerned about the deepening crisis with billions of dollars invested in a pipeline to transport Caspian sea oil through the region to the Mediterranean.