Tensions climax in Georgia

The storming of Georgia's presidential chamber was the climax of weeks of escalating political tensions there. Opposition supporters broke down the door to enter the room where President Eduard Shevardnaze was delivering a speech. The 75 year old was hustled out by his bodyguards. Supporters of opposition leader Mikhail Saakashvili surged into the room and seized microphones to make political speeches. Crowds outside and inside chanted and waved flags. Shevardnadze had been due to address the inaugural session of the new parliament which was elected this month in a poll denounced as rigged by the opposition and international observers. Once firmly in the parliament the opposition called for calm, Saakashvili later said he was proud at the people's behaviour describing it as a bloodless revolution. Shevardnadze has said he will not resign and told a pro-presidential rally outside parliament that no enemy would deter them. He also said he wants to pursue talks with opposition leaders who have led the protests. Security forces massed outside parliament appeared to offer no resistance to the tide of opposition supporters when they stormed the building. There were a few scuffles and several injuries were reported, including police. For many, the events represent the culmination of years of simmering anger and frustration at the difficult economic situtation there. Average wages stand at about one euro a day, Georgia is one of the poorest- ex-soviet republics.