Georgian opposition demanding Prime Minister Garibashvili's resignation

TBILISI. March 2 (Interfax) - The participants in rallies in the center of Tbilisi, Georgia, in support of Ukraine aired their demands on Tuesday evening, which included the government's resignation, the closure of Georgian airspace to Russian aircraft, and the submission of a Georgian bid for joining the European Union.

"We have made a decision concerning our demands: Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili must resign along with his government. The disgrace with which he covered the whole of Georgia will stay in our history for a long time. Garibashvili no longer represents our people. We should ensure the closure of Georgian airspace to Russia and submit a Georgian bid to join the European Union on behalf of the Georgian people," Elene Khoshtaria, a leader of the Droa opposition party, said at a rally in front of the parliament.

The Georgian opposition stepped up protests after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that Ukraine was recalling its ambassador from Georgia for consultations because of the Georgian government's unwillingness to impose sanctions on Russia and to allow volunteers to travel to Ukraine.

A similar rally in support of Ukraine was held by opposition supporters in Batumi, where seven opposition activists were detained after clashes with police, according to local media.