Bush hails Georgia as 'beacon of liberty'

US President George Bush yesterday told a cheering crowd of tens of thousands of Georgians that they were proving to the world that determined people can rise up and claim their freedom from oppressive rulers.

"Your courage is inspiring democratic reformers and sending a message that echoes across the world: Freedom will be the future of every nation and every people on Earth," Mr Bush said in his speech from Tbilisi's Freedom Square.

"You gathered here armed with nothing but roses and the power of your convictions and you claimed your liberty. And because you acted, Georgia is today both sovereign and free and a beacon of liberty for this region and the world."