Meeting of Georgian opposition to be held in Tbilisi

On Saturday the united Georgian opposition is going to hold an enormous rally demanding the immediate resignation of President Eduard Shevardnadze.

The rally is to start in Svoboda Square in downtown Tbilisi at 12:00 Moscow time. After that, the protesters will move to the building of the State Chancellery, Shevardnadze's working residence.

Yesterday Mikhail Saakashvili, leader of the National Movement opposition party, delivered a TV address to Georgian people. "A velvet democratic bloodless revolution is starting in Georgia to liberate the country from Shevardnadze's regime," he said.

Saakashvili also called on policemen and servicemen to join the opposition.

"Today is the day of our unity. President Shevardnadze should resign without bloodshed and resistance," the opposition leader said.

On Friday the Georgian Interior Ministry issued an official statement on the inadmissibility of the opposition rally near the State Chancellery building. "Policemen will use all the possible means except weapons to break up the rally," Georgian Deputy Interior Minister Shota Asatiani said.

On Saturday Eduard Shevardnadze will open the first session of the new parliament at 15:00 Moscow time, the press service of the Georgian president told journalists.