Georgian clashes

It was the first major outbreak of violence in what's now been a month of demonstrations against Georgia's president in the capital, Tbilisi.

Thousands of protestors converged on parliament to demand President Mikhail Saakashvili's resignation, as well as the release of three jailed supporters.

Georgia's Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said police used truncheons to beat back protesters who were climbing over a fence surrounding the building.

NATO exercises reignite Georgia-Russia tension

The month-long NATO training activities began on Wednesday, and are part of a simulated crisis response operation and peacekeeping exercises. They will involve at least 1,100 soldiers from 10 NATO countries and six of the alliance's "partner" countries.

The military exercises are being held at a Georgian military base formerly used by the Russian air force.

The operations have strained ties further between the ex-Soviet Georgia and its Cold War-era rival.

Russia fiercely objects to Georgia hosting the operation, saying it threatens stability in the region.

Earlier in the week, Georgia accused Russia of backing a brief military mutiny that allegedly included a plot to assassinate the president.