Georgian opposition ups protests

Georgia’s opposition has vowed to take protests nationwide after refusing a power-sharing offer from the president, who they say must resign.

A meeting between President Mikhail Saakashvili and four of his most outspoken opponents ended in stalemate and the opposition promised to escalate the month-long stand-off in which thousands have demonstrated outside government buildings, occasionally clashing with police.

Critics say US-backed Mr Saakashvili led Georgia into the disastrous war with Russia last summer and claim he is backtracking on democratic progress made since he overthrew Eduard Shevardnadze in a 2003 peaceful revolution.