Georgia’s President Calls for ‘De-escalation’ after Unrest

“What this country needs more than anything else is quietness and internal stability because that’s our real strength. There is a political problem with Russia and everybody hopes that this will be solved one day,” Zurabichvili told Euronews.

Violence flared in the Georgian capital late on Thursday, where police used tear gas and rubber bullets to stop crowds furious about the visit of a Russian delegation from storming parliament.

Hundreds of people were injured, some seriously, as demonstrators pushed against lines of riot police, threw bottles and stones, and grabbed shields, drawing a tough response.

Though the protests began over Georgia’s diplomatic relationship with Russia, opposition parties have also begun to call for wider reform.

Georgia and Russia fought a brief war over the provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in 2008. The provinces remain under Russian military control even though the international community recognizes them as part of Georgia.

Thousands gathered outside parliament where opposition leaders gave the floor to young activists and students.