Saakashvili Warns Of Continuing Threat From 'Outside Forces'

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili

Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili today oversaw Georgia's first military parade since the 2008 war with Russia and warned against what he called a continuing threat from "outside forces."

After the parade, Saakashvili opened a memorial to Georgian soldiers killed since the country gained independence from the Soviet Union.

He warned that Georgians should be all ready to die for their homeland, saying "we should be ready that our names will be written" on the memorial.

Tensions remain high between Russia and Georgia after their August 2008 war, with Russia refusing to have any dealings with Saakashvili.

compiled from agency reports