Georgia withdraws 'foreign influence' bill but opposition vows more protests

Georgia's ruling party has withdrawn a controversial "foreign influence" bill after two nights of protests in Tbilisi, but the opposition warned that more demonstrations were planned on Thursday.

The announcement that the bill would be scrapped, carried by the country's public broadcaster, was made hours after tens of thousands of people gathered outside the Georgian parliament for a second night of rallies, some clashing with police.

The Executive Secretary of the Droa opposition party, Giga Lemonjala, said his party "did not believe" the ruling Georgian Dream party would withdraw the legislation, "because we have very sad experience that Georgian Dream has lied to the Georgian public several times."

Lemonjala is demanding parliament formally cancels the bill and immediately release all those detained during the protests, which saw tens of thousands gather outside the country's parliament over a fear it would drive a wedge between Georgia and Europe.