Tens of thousands of Georgians demonstrated against President Mikheil Saakashvili in Tbilisi on Friday in the biggest popular protest since the 2003 Rose Revolution that swept the pro-west leader to power.

Reporters estimated that more than 50,000 people took part in the peaceful rally, organised by about 10 opposition parties that have accused Mr Saakashvili of jeopardising the country’s democracy by concentrating excessive power in his hands.