In pictures: Ajaria's 'velvet revolution'

1 of 6 Thousands of people in the capital of Georgia's rebel region of Ajaria took to the streets, urging their leader, Aslan Abashidze, to resign and end a tense stand-off with Tbilisi.

2 of 6 Ajaria's police joined the protestors, as Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili warned Mr Abashidze must quit to avoid bloodshed.

3 of 6 The protests later turned into celebration as demonstrators perceived signs that the regime of the local strongman was crumbling, correspondents said.

4 of 6 Some even described the latest developments as Ajaria's own "velvet revolution" - similar to the events that led to the peaceful change of power in Georgia last year.

5 of 6 The situation in Batumi was tense, as Mr Abashidze still had the support of private militias.

6 of 6 Ajaria remains cut off from the rest of the country, after border bridges were blown up on Mr Abashidze's orders.