3,000 demand Georgian president's resignation

About 3,000 anti-government protesters in Georgia have demanded the president's resignation and will try to block a military parade in the capital Thursday.

The rally's organizers have permission to remain at Tbilisi's Freedom Square until midnight Wednesday — 10 hours before the parade is scheduled to pass through there.

Prominent opposition leader Nino Burdzhanadze called on the demonstrators to remain on the square beyond midnight.

President Mikhail Saakashvili's opponents want to force his resignation for alleged corruption within his government and backsliding on reforms.