Tbilisi, Georgia ? The opposition seized Georgia’s parliament Saturday, chasing out President Eduard Shevardnadze and declaring an interim government as tens of thousands of supporters thronged the streets of the capital. Shevardnadze, backed by his head of police, declared a state of emergency.

Shevardnadze has long claimed that he is key to maintaining stability in the Caucasus region, located on strategically vital oil routes. Georgia’s rugged mountains have provided shelter for insurgents fighting in neighboring Chechnya, and the United States has helped train Georgian military forces to try to uproot them.

Facing a possible confrontation with the army and security forces, the opposition appealed to its supporters in the streets to defend the parliament building.

Opposition leader Nino Burdzhanadze, the speaker of the outgoing parliament, proclaimed herself acting president until early elections that the opposition called to take place in 45 days. She warned Shevardnadze’s government to avoid bloodshed.

“The fate of our country is being decided now,” said protest leader Mikhail Saakashvili. “We give guarantees to Shevardnadze that he will not be harmed, but let him know that if there is at least one shot fired at people, he will face justice.”

The parliament takeover was an exuberant moment for protesters who for days have been demanding the president’s removal over elections that the opposition says were rigged. The United States and other foreign observers also considered the elections fraudulent.

Just as Shevardnadze began speaking in parliament, Saakashvili and hundreds of supporters swarmed through the chamber doors, pushing and shoving lawmakers.

The protesters knocked over tables and chairs. One leaped up on the speaker’s podium, waving a red rose, while another banged the gavel. Later, protesters took over Shevardnadze’s office and burned his chair.

Opposition supporters sit atop a bus during a rally in front of the parliament in Tbilisi, Georgia. Opposition protesters seized control of Georgia's parliament Saturday and declared their own interim government, but President Eduard Shevardnadze refused to step down, introduced a state of emergency and pledged to punish the organizers of what he called a coup.

Pro-government lawmakers were thrown out of parliament — and Shevardnadze was hustled out of the chamber by bodyguards. “I will not resign,” he vowed outside the building as he boarded a vehicle and was driven off, escorted by troops in riot gear.

He later went on national television, surrounded by uniformed officers of the internal security forces, and declared a 30-day state of emergency. “Order will be restored and the criminals will be punished,” he vowed.

While the interior minister — who is in charge of police — vowed loyalty, there were signs of dissent elsewhere.

Georgia’s top security official, Tedo Dzhaparidze, acknowledged Friday that the election had been fraudulent and said he favored a new parliamentary vote.