The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Tbilisi

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on Wednesday declared a 15-day nationwide state of emergency after police clashed violently with anti-government protesters. The measure imposed restrictions on public gatherings and the media and closed all television channels except for the state-controlled network, Economic Development Minister Georgi Arvaladze said in a televised statement. shvili had earlier declared a state of emergency in the capital Tbilisi because of "an attempt at t a state coup," Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said. He said the state of emergency would be lifted "when the situation returns to normality." The action by the president came after a day of running battles between riot police and demonstrators demanding the resignation of Saakashvili, who came to power in the peaceful 2003 Rose Revolution. The health ministry said that 486 people had been hospitalised after running battles with police, who fired rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons.