Troops cordoned off the deserted streets of central Tbilisi yesterday after Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili declared a state of emergency and shut down independent media to quash six days of anti-government protests.

Opposition leaders said they were suspending protests to avoid more injuries. More than 550 demonstrators were hospitalized on Wednesday after the government crushed protests using riot police armed with batons, rubber bullets and tear gas.

Schools were closed until next week, only state corporations were allowed to broadcast news and meetings were banned under the emergency measures which will last until November 22, subject to parliamentary approval.