Thousands of Albanians demonstrated on Saturday for the ouster of Prime Minister Fatos Nano, accusing him of being responsible for corruption and misery in the country.
"Nano must go," said opposition leader, and former president Sali Berisha. "He is the enemy of the Albanians, and it is he who is stifling the hope of the Albanians."
Following an earlier protest, in which stone-throwing demonstrators sought to force their way into Nano's office, Berisha urged protestors to remain calm.
"Our movement must be a peaceful one," he said. "What we ask is that all Albanians be equal before the law."
Chanting "Nano out!" the protesters filed past the government centre, which was heavily guarded by anti-riot police.
Officials of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe estimated that up to 20,000 people took part in the protest.