Georgian president addreses nation after mob attack

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on Friday made an emotional appeal for peaceful "cohabitation and cooperation" with the ruling coalition after an angry mob attacked his allies. "There is no room for vengefulness in Georgia," Saakashvili said, his voice trembling, after some 300 angry protesters surrounded and attacked lawmakers from his United National Movement party. Calling for "cohabitation and cooperation" with his rival Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili's Georgian Dream coalition, he told a gathering of UNM lawmakers, foreign diplomats and journalists: "I want to express outrage and sorrow over today's events." Saakashvili had been set to deliver an annual address to parliament, but the legislature dominated by Ivinishvili's coalition refused, demanding that he first accept proposed constitutional amendments curbing his powers. Saakashvili then changed the address venue to the National Library of Georgia. But the protesters surrounded and attacked UNM lawmakers outside the building, pummelling Saakashvili allies including Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugalava for several minutes before they managed to flee, as police stood by without intervening. Saakashvili's national security advisor, Giga Bokeria, pointed the finger at the ruling coalition. "The attack was a shameful act orchestrated by the Georgian Dream," he told AFP. Following the violence, Saakashvili switched the venue to his presidential palace. Friday's incident deepened tensions between the president and prime minister. TBILISI (AFP) - (AFP) - Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on Friday made an emotional appeal for peaceful "cohabitation and cooperation" with the ruling coalition after an angry mob attacked his allies. "There is no room for vengefulness in Georgia," Saakashvili said, his voice trembling, after some 300 angry protesters surrounded and attacked lawmakers from his United National Movement party. Calling for "cohabitation and cooperation" with his rival Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili's Georgian Dream coalition, he told a gathering of UNM lawmakers, foreign diplomats and journalists: "I want to express outrage and sorrow over today's events." Saakashvili had been set to deliver an annual address to parliament, but the legislature dominated by Ivinishvili's coalition refused, demanding that he first accept proposed constitutional amendments curbing his powers. Saakashvili then changed the address venue to the National Library of Georgia. But the protesters surrounded and attacked UNM lawmakers outside the building, pummelling Saakashvili allies including Tbilisi Mayor Gigi Ugalava for several minutes before they managed to flee, as police stood by without intervening. Saakashvili's national security advisor, Giga Bokeria, pointed the finger at the ruling coalition. "The attack was a shameful act orchestrated by the Georgian Dream," he told AFP. Following the violence, Saakashvili switched the venue to his presidential palace. Friday's incident deepened tensions between the president and prime minister.