TBILISI, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in front of the Georgian parliament Thursday and demanded that President Mikhail Saakashvili resign, news agencies reported.

Thousands of Georgians hold a rally against Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, calling on his resignation, in front of Parliament Building in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, April 9, 2009. (Xinhua/Lu Jinbo) Photo Gallery>>>

    About 120,000 people rallied on the square in front of the parliament in Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, the Itar-Tass news agency reported.

    The demonstrators are members and supporters of opposition parties, public organizations, and ordinary citizens.

Thousands of Georgians hold a rally against Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, calling on his resignation, in front of Parliament Building in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia, April 9, 2009. (Xinhua/Lu Jinbo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Before the rally, former parliament Speaker Nino Burdzhanadze, who sides with the opposition, said "Saakashvili should realize that it is high time for him to resign and most Georgian citizens demand his resignation."

    One of the opposition leaders, Irakly Alasania, promised the rally would be "absolutely peaceful."

    Meanwhile, protests took place in other Georgian cities as well, the Interfax news agency said.

    Former Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli led an opposition rally in Batumi, while an anti-presidential rally occurred in Poti.

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