President Saakashvili has imposed emergency rules in the capital city Tbilisi in the evening on November 7, Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli said.

“There was an attempt of unrests and state coup; so we had to react on that,” he said in a televised address. “Temporary restrictions are imposed on demonstrations and manifestations, as well as [restrictions are imposed] on calls for unrests and overthrow of the government with use of force through media sources. In other terms freedom of speech is not restricted. As soon as a normal order is restored restriction will be removed and functioning of the media sources will also be restored.”

The parliament has to convene within the next 48 hours and approve the presidential decree, which is already in force.