Two killed as Georgia demonstration cleared

A police officer and a demonstrator were killed during the violent clearing of an anti-government protest in the Georgian capital Tbilisi, police said.

The interior ministry said both victims died when they were hit by one of several cars fleeing the rally after the violence began.

The rally, which began late on Wednesday and spilled into the early morning today, was aimed at blocking an Independence Day parade set for later today, and to push demands for president Mikheil Saakashvili to resign.

Police moved in with a water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets after the demonstrators defied a midnight deadline to disperse, arresting dozens.

Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said nearly 40 remained in hospital, including eight police and one local journalist.