(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-11-08 19:06

MOSCOW -- Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili has declared a 15-day nationwide state of emergency, Minister of Economic Development Georgy Arveladze told a briefing in Tbilisi at midnight on Wednesday.

Police officers run by an opposition supporter sitting on the side of the road during a rally in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi Nov. 7, 2007. Georgian riot police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon on Wednesday to break up a six-day-old rally by protesters demanding the resignation of President Mikhail Saakashvili.  [Xinhua]

"A state of emergency has been declared for 15 days and under this restrictions have been introduced on organizing rallies, meetings and marches, and on collecting and distributing information. Only state television will be functioning," he said.

The presidential decision has already taken effect, he added.

Saakashvili earlier the day declared a state of emergency only in the capital of Tbilisi and signed the relevant decree, Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said.

Police officers stand guard in front of the parliament building in central Tbilisi, Nov. 7, 2007. Georgian police armed with batons on Wednesday broke up a six-day protest outside parliament calling for the resignation of pro-US President Mikhail Saakashvili, but opposition leaders vowed defiance and called on supporters to rally again.  [Xinhua]

"A coup was attempted in Georgia and the state of emergency was introduced. The president decreed the state of emergency," Nogaideli said at a briefing on Wednesday evening.

"The decree will be filed for parliamentary approval within 48 hours under the Georgian Constitution," he was quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.

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