Anti-Shevardnadze riots in Georgia

Georgia's Defence Minister said the situation in the Caucasus state was practically out of control yesterday as thousands of protesters demanded President Eduard Shevardnadze step down over alleged election fraud.

But the embattled Georgian leader moved to ease tensions in the ex-communist state by agreeing to hear Opposition grievances.

Thousands have staged sporadic demonstrations in the capital since the November 2 parliamentary polls, accusing the Government of ballot-stuffing and intimidating voters.

"I think nothing good is going on here at the moment, and the situation has practically gone out of control. The situation is actually uncontrollable," Defence Minister David Tevzadze said.