Georgian officials are ready to meet with opposition leaders to discuss their demands, the parliamentary speaker said Friday after monthlong anti-government protests turned to violent clashes this week, according to AP. Speaker David Bakradze welcomed opposition leader Irakly Alasania's statement Thursday that the protest leaders were ready to talk with authorities, and said officials were willing to hold talks Friday. However, there was no immediate signal from the opposition to confirm their readiness to meet. Such a meeting would be the first between officials and the opposition since protesters took to the streets last month to demand President Mikhail Saakashvili's resignation. The protests entered a new and dangerous phase this week when a clash between demonstrators and police injured several dozen people.
