Riot police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons to disperse protesters outside the parliament.

Hundreds of riot policemen armed with shields, batons and riot guns were deployed on the Rustaveli Avenue after patrol police failed to contain protesters.

Television stations were broadcasting a live footage from the incident site.

Several dozen of protesters, including some opposition leaders, ran inside the parliament to find a shelter.

Apart of riot police, a large group of men in black cloths and black masks were also seen attacking protesters.

It is not yet clear how many people were injured.

Nino Burjanadze, the parliamentary speaker, came out from his office and told those protesters who were inside the parliament to leave the legislative body.

“I guarantee each of you that your security will be guaranteed when you leave the Parliament. I hope we will be able to defuse tensions through negotiations,” she said.

MP Levan Berdzenishvili from the opposition Republican Party said Nino Burjanadze had “failed to provide security of thousands of protesters.”

“I do not see any reason in talks with Burjanadze. The only thing that should be negotiated is terms of President Saakashvili’s resignation,” Berdzenishvili said.