hello i'm... thousands of protesters are on the streets of georgia for a fourth night, in response to the government suspending talks tojoin the european union. these are the live pictures from the capital tblisi where demostrators are outside parliament. some protesters threw fireworks towards police officers crouching behind shields. the latest protests come after georgia's prime minister seemed to contradict the very comments that sparked this week's demonstrations. he denied that his government is suspending moves to join the european union. our russia editor, steve rosenberg is in tbilisi and spoke to the prime minister. he sent this report. fireworks explode. in tbilisi, now, every night is fireworks night. a fourth night of protests outside parliament, while inside, police try to keep protesters at bay.

a brolly helps at moments like these. so the police right now are firing streams of water from inside the parliament, and going the other way, fireworks hurled by the protesters. it is the most surreal stand—off. the crowds are huge. so is the disappointment that the government here has frozen accession talks with the eu. but people are still hoping. every single day, there is more and more people coming. and it gives me hope that this government will finally go away. no sign of that. earlier, the head of the government praised the police and condemned the protests. many of the protesters have said to me that by suspending until the end of 2028 georgia's bid tojoin the european union,

you have stolen, your government has stolen their european dream, their european future. people feel betrayed. can you understand that? the response is very clear. so, we have not suspended anything related to the european integration. it'sjust a lie. and there are the opposition leaders, there are the media outlets linked with the opposition, who are just lying to these people. you suspended this until 2028. no, it's not true, it's not true. really? here's what he said three days ago. translation: today, we have decided not to put the issue of opening - negotiations with the european union on the agenda until the end of 2028. we also refuse any budgetary grants from the european union until the end of 2028. it was that announcement that sparked the protests and violence. here, a makeshift firework gun fires at police, while police officers have been accused of assaulting protesters.

you must have seen videos of the brutal way in which the police have treated some of the protesters in the last few days. what is your reaction to that? an investigation will happen against this kind of incidents, but also, in this case, it's important to have a clear position with regard to the violence from both sides. the protesters accuse the government of selling out to russia, which the authorities deny. neither side shows any sign of backing down. steve rosenberg, bbc news, tbilisi. for more, i spoke to stephenjones, the director of the georgian studies progam at the davis centre at harvard university. we have seen a fourth night of protests. how much longerjevity do you think these demonstrations could

have? the you think these demonstrations could have? ., , ., ., , , , have? the demonstrations them selves are persistent — have? the demonstrations them selves are persistent and _ have? the demonstrations them selves are persistent and i _ have? the demonstrations them selves are persistent and i suspect _ have? the demonstrations them selves are persistent and i suspect the - are persistent and i suspect the georgian — are persistent and i suspect the georgian people in the streets will continue _ georgian people in the streets will continue this demonstration until they see — continue this demonstration until they see this government fall. the question— they see this government fall. the question is— they see this government fall. the question is how long can the government last? right now the government last? right now the government has the riot police, controt— government has the riot police, control of— government has the riot police, control of the riot police. the army is neutrat — control of the riot police. the army is neutrat in— control of the riot police. the army is neutral. in theory, it can stay in power. — is neutral. in theory, it can stay in power, but it's facing a population that is massively against their policy, which is a rejection of the _ their policy, which is a rejection of the european union. we their policy, which is a re'ection of the european union. we heard esterda of the european union. we heard yesterday from — of the european union. we heard yesterday from the _ of the european union. we heard yesterday from the georgian - yesterday from the georgian president, and she said she will now not be stepping down at the end of her term, not be stepping down at the end of herterm, calling not be stepping down at the end of her term, calling the current parliament illegitimate. what do you make of that? do you think she could face risks? ~ ., . ., , make of that? do you think she could face risks? ~ ., _, , , face risks? well, of course she could. face risks? well, of course she could- right — face risks? well, of course she could. right now, _ face risks? well, of course she could. right now, what - face risks? well, of course she could. right now, what is - face risks? well, of course she - could. right now, what is emerging are two— could. right now, what is emerging are two governments. you've got the government— are two governments. you've got the government of georgian dream, which is claiming _ government of georgian dream, which

is claiming legitimacy based on the 26th of— is claiming legitimacy based on the 26th of october elections and you have another government that is emerging — have another government that is emerging that is circling around the region. _ emerging that is circling around the region, joining with her, the opposition parties were also claiming _ opposition parties were also claiming to be legitimate. the reason — claiming to be legitimate. the reason for their legitimacy, they claim, _ reason for their legitimacy, they claim, is— reason for their legitimacy, they claim, is the illegitimacy of the october— claim, is the illegitimacy of the october the 26th elections. so you have two— october the 26th elections. so you have two groups divided, contesting for sovereignty for the country of georgie — for sovereignty for the country of georgia. that is a very difficult situation — georgia. that is a very difficult situation and one hopes it does not end in_ situation and one hopes it does not end in violence, although my sense is that— end in violence, although my sense is that one — end in violence, although my sense is that one side will have to give in, otherwise they will be forcibly removed — in, otherwise they will be forcibly removed. �* , . ~ in, otherwise they will be forcibly removed. �* , ., ~ ., in, otherwise they will be forcibly removed. �*, ., ~ ., ., removed. let's talk more about the polarisation. _ removed. let's talk more about the polarisation, how _ removed. let's talk more about the polarisation, how far _ removed. let's talk more about the polarisation, how far does - removed. let's talk more about the polarisation, how far does that - polarisation, how far does that extend to society among the population, how much support are we seeing for the georgia dream party? so, we could argue based on the

poles _ so, we could argue based on the poles around october the 26th election— poles around october the 26th election that georgian dream probably had something like 40% support— probably had something like 40% support among the population, and much _ support among the population, and much of— support among the population, and much of that support was in the regions — much of that support was in the regions. the situation has changed dramatically since those elections. originally, — dramatically since those elections. originally, much of the protesters in the _ originally, much of the protesters in the capital city, now the protesters all around the country. it is protesters all around the country. it is in _ protesters all around the country. it is in the — protesters all around the country. it is in the major cities, even much smaller— it is in the major cities, even much smaller cities than the major ones. so it looks — smaller cities than the major ones. so it looks like the movement is becoming — so it looks like the movement is becoming much more national than it was before _ becoming much more national than it was before. before, as i say, it was largeiy— was before. before, as i say, it was largely urban based upon the capital city. largely urban based upon the capital city now— largely urban based upon the capital city. now it is becoming much more chatienging — city. now it is becoming much more challenging for the government. you mentioned challenging for the government. gm. mentioned there that there is the risk of violence. let's talk about the response that we have seen from authorities, the police, riot police towards journalists, protesters. authorities, the police, riot police towardsjournalists, protesters. we have already seen a level of violence. so how do you see this unfolding further for them if they continue to take to the streets?

well, in my view, it is remarkable that no— well, in my view, it is remarkable that no one — well, in my view, it is remarkable that no one has been killed yet. people — that no one has been killed yet. people have been hurt, systematically people have been beaten _ systematically people have been beaten up by the riot police along with journalists, beaten up by the riot police along withjournalists, so it is a very dangerous— withjournalists, so it is a very dangerous situation. situations like this that _ dangerous situation. situations like this that can tip over into a very viotent— this that can tip over into a very violent confrontation. one hopes that that — violent confrontation. one hopes that that does not happen, but i think— that that does not happen, but i think the — that that does not happen, but i think the longer this goes on, that's— think the longer this goes on, that's more likely. and that's of course — that's more likely. and that's of course will— that's more likely. and that's of course will change everything. once somebody— course will change everything. once somebody gets killed, whoever starts the shooting, that side will probably lose, and the reason i said that is— probably lose, and the reason i said that is there has been a long tradition— that is there has been a long tradition in georgia of resistance and revott— tradition in georgia of resistance and revolt against governments that spill blood. taking you live to the scene, this is the george or —— georgia capital, you can see front and centre the flag of the european union being

waived by those protesters coming out for a fourth now. of course we will keep you up—to—date across the very latest developments there. syria's president, bashar al—assad, is turning to his allies — iran and russia — for aid after opposition fighters took control of large parts of the country. on sunday, mr assad welcomed iran's foreign minister to the syrian capital, damascus. in his first public appearance since the rebels' offensive began, the president welcomed iran's support. russia, mr assad's other major ally, is carrying out intensive air strikes on opposition forces: this is the aftermath of a strike on the rebel—held city of idlib. the syrian defence ministry said dozens of rival fighters had been killed. monitors say civilian casualties have also been reported, including in aleppo — which has fallen to the rebels. the syrian army says it's preparing a counter—offensive . barbara plett usher has more, and a warning: her report contains images of children in distress. they are alive, rescued

from the wreckage moments after the bombs struck. footage posted by the syrian civil defence group at the white helmets shows the aftermath of an attack on the rebel stronghold of idlib, south—west of aleppo. the regime is fighting back. thousands of people have been displaced, fleeing aleppo and areas around idlib stop their lives certainly upended by this escalation in syria's civil war. translation: we are following the news and god willing - the regime will fall. we camp night and day to return as the kids are tired and shocked. we left and came here in our clothes and nothing else. the speedy capture of aleppo took everyone by surprise, devastating blow to the regime. the rebels continued their advance, but here the city is coming

to terms with a new normal. some are fearful of the antigovernment rebels, but so far people continue with their daily lives. and for those driven out by previous battles, chance to return. translation: i returned to aleppo after it was liberated, _ after we were driven out, i came back to experience this joy, to witness its greatness, its old neighbourhoods cleaned up after being desecrated by the assad regime and the collaborators. it isn't clear if the insurgents can hold on to the territory captured, but they have exposed the weakness of bashar al—assad's rule this is the first sighting of him of the fall of aleppo. a crucial ally along with russia, both consumed by their own conflicts but trying to bring the situation back under control. the front lines of syria's civil war have been redrawn and nobody

knows what comes next. barbara plett usher, bbc news. joining me live is ibrahim al—assil, senior fellow at the middle east institute here in washington. good to have you with us. we were just discussing their and barbara's reported that meeting between president assad in the iranian foreign minister. we also know that russian air strikes have been under way. what level of support do you expect now from asad's allies, crucially, how long do you think it will last? ,., ., crucially, how long do you think it will last? ., , i. will last? good to be with you. i think the support _ will last? good to be with you. i think the support that _ will last? good to be with you. i think the support that asad - will last? good to be with you. i think the support that asad is l think the support that asad is waiting is crucial for him and for his survival and for his ability to recapture part of the areas that the opposition has controlled over the last two or three days. however, the situation on the ground is different this time, and the conditions for has allies are also different. today, iran is less capable than it

was 10—9 years ago. they can send less support for him when it comes to the military equipment, also the militias and the fighters, they can set in addition to economic support that he needs at this point. finally, also, if we look to the other side of the borders, to lebanon where ten years ago, hezbollah crossed into syria to help asad and to prop up his regime. today, hezbollah has been in the war against israel, they are weaker than before and all of the crossings between lebanon and syria have been damaged by israeli air strikes. let's look at another border, that of turkey, positioning itself as a protector of the region. how do you think that ankara will be viewing this right now? what do you think its next move could be?— its next move could be? turkey is -la in: a its next move could be? turkey is playing a huge _ its next move could be? turkey is playing a huge role _ its next move could be? turkey is playing a huge role in _ its next move could be? turkey is playing a huge role in these - playing a huge role in these developments and it's playing a huge role in these developments and its expected to play an even bigger role in the future. if we are looking at the

geopolitical map of what is happening to try to understand the regional powers. for turkey commit sees that iran is weaker today than it used to be before. around seven years ago, there was an agreement between russia, turkey and iran that is known as... that did divided —— divided the influence inside syria. today turkey sees that iran is weaker and turkey should be the one who should feel —— fill in the vacuum. they have two major goals today. one is to pressure asad to negotiate and probably to offer some concessions in the north that allows syrian refugees to go back. second, which is also very important is to push against the kurds inside syria. they are backed by the united states. turkey wants to push them more into the eastern side of the euphrates river and control everything that is east of the euphrates river.—

everything that is east of the euhrates river. �* , ., . ., everything that is east of the euhrates river. �*, ., . ., ., euphrates river. let's touch more on that idea of — euphrates river. let's touch more on that idea of a — euphrates river. let's touch more on that idea of a power _ euphrates river. let's touch more on that idea of a power back— euphrates river. let's touch more on that idea of a power back room, - euphrates river. let's touch more on that idea of a power back room, a - that idea of a power back room, a conversation that's been going on with the regards to syria. —— vacuum. do you expect any meaningful action from the us with that question about the potential for a power vacuum emerging in syria? who could fill it, essentially, and what would that mean?— would that mean? that's a great cuestion. would that mean? that's a great question- i _ would that mean? that's a great question. i think— would that mean? that's a great question. i think there _ would that mean? that's a great question. i think there is - would that mean? that's a great question. i think there is a - would that mean? that's a great question. i think there is a lot i would that mean? that's a great| question. i think there is a lot for the united states to do. first, they need to assert their presence in the northeast. the united states intervened in the northeast to fight isis and they back the syrian democratic forces to do so. today, the democratic forces are attacked by the opposition forces, they might to move some of their fighters away from areas that are crucial and important to fight isis and direct them somewhere else. that might offer isis an opportunity to really emerge. first, to support the stf and to continue their fight against

isis, and another important factor, a diplomatic role of the united states, to mitigate between the kurds in turkey. they can avoid many battles that might happen around many syrian towns and cities in the north in redrawing the map that properly they can reach the political level without going through some bloodshed and brutal fightings on the ground.— fightings on the ground. senior federal- -- _ fightings on the ground. senior federal... fellow _ fightings on the ground. senior federal... fellow at _ fightings on the ground. senior federal... fellow at