TBILISI -- Georgia's prime minister has said President Salome Zurabishvili must leave office at the end of her term later this month, despite her pledge not to, while anti-government protesters -- who are supported by Zurabishvili -- took to the streets again, scuffling with security forces at key sites in the capital.
Demonstrators gathered on December 1 in the courtyard of the Channel 1 public broadcaster, blocking the entrance and vowing to stay until leaders of the organization resign.
Protesters also demanded the broadcaster report on the demonstrations of the pro-European groups as they stand opposed to the Russian-friendly Georgian Dream-led government.
Channel 1 said in a statement that "viewers are watching the unprecedented pressure” on its journalists.
"Channel 1 was and will remain free and will defend editorial independence despite any pressure," it said.
SEE ALSO: RFE/RL Journalist Arrested, Beaten During Protests In Georgian Capital, Lawyer SaysThere were no immediate reports of arrests or injuries at that site or near the parliament building, but video by Current Time showed large crowds of protesters and security personnel facing off, with water cannons and tear gas being fired.
The Interior Ministry warned “the aggressive participants of the rally to stop illegal activities, otherwise the ministry will take appropriate measures granted by law."
It also warned parents to keep their children away from the “violent environment.”
Shortly thereafter, police began moving protesters away from the parliament building and erected barricades.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's comments earlier in the day set up a showdown with Zurabishvili, a day after she called the newly elected parliament illegitimate and vowed to remain as president. Demonstrations in the capital, Tbilisi, have turned increasingly chaotic and violent.
Georgia has plunged deeper into a political crisis that started in late October, when the ruling Georgian Dream party claimed victory in parliamentary elections. The opposition said the vote was marred by fraud. Western countries have called for an investigation.
Thousands of demonstrators had returned to the streets of Tbilisi on November 30 for a third night to protest against the government's decision to suspend accession talks with the European Union.
In central Tbilisi, police fired tear gas and water cannons at demonstrators, some of whom chanted "traitors" and held photographs of journalists who they say were beaten by police. Demonstrators have erected barricades on Tbilisi's main avenue.
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Georgian Police Use Water Cannons, Tear Gas To Disperse Protesters (Video)
More than 200 people have been arrested in the past three days, officials said.
Zurabishvili, who has allied herself with pro-European opposition, asserted that parliament does not have the right to choose her successor following the end of her term in December and she vowed to remain in office.
"There is no legitimate parliament, and therefore, an illegitimate parliament cannot elect a new president," she said on November 30.
SEE ALSO: Georgian President Calls Parliament 'Illegitimate' As U.S. Suspends 'Strategic Partnership'"Thus, no inauguration can take place, and my mandate continues until a legitimately elected parliament is formed," she said
On December 1, Kobakhidze dismissed her pledge, saying she would have to leave the office.
Kobakhidze also dismissed the United States' announcement that it would suspend its strategic partnership with Georgia. Calling it a "temporary event," he said his government would talk to the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump when it takes office in January.
Kobakhidze also accused opponents of the halt to EU talks of plotting a revolt, along the lines of Ukraine's 2014 Euromaidan protests.
Sparked by the president's decision to spurn closer ties with the EU, months of protests in Kyiv culminated that February in violent street clashes. The president, Viktor Yanukovych, later fled the country.
"Some people want a repeat of that scenario in Georgia," he said. "But there will be no Maidan in Georgia."
A State Department spokesman criticized the decision to suspend EU talks, saying it "made Georgia more vulnerable to the Kremlin."
"The United States condemns the excessive use of force by police against Georgians seeking to exercise their rights to assembly and expression, including their freedom to peacefully protest," Matthew Miller said in a statement.
U.S. authorities have sought to pressure Georgian officials, imposing sanctions on dozens of government officials whom Washington said had "undermined" democracy and human rights in the country.
The European Union's new foreign policy chief warned Georgian authorities over violence against demonstrators.
"It is clear that using violence against peaceful protesters is not acceptable, and the Georgian government should respect the will of the Georgian people," Kaja Kallas told journalists during a trip to Ukraine.