Georgia ? Riot police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon Wednesday to break up demonstrations calling for the ouster of President Mikhail Saakashvili. The pro-Western leader declared a state of emergency and banned all news broadcasts except state-controlled television.

Saakashvili, a U.S. ally who has tried to integrate Georgia with the West, also expelled three Russian diplomats and accused Moscow of fomenting the protests, which began last week.

There has been growing disillusion with Saakashvili among critics who say he has not moved fast enough to spread growing wealth. Opponents accuse him of sidestepping the rule of law, creating a system marked by violations of property rights, a muzzled media and political arrests.

Several thousand opposition supporters rallied in Tbilisi, only to have their protests broken up several times by riot police. More than 500 people sought medical assistance in the running clashes throughout the day.