Albania's PM Edi Rama refuses to quit as thousands march for third day in Tirana anti-government riots

Riot police deployed tear gas and water cannons against rock-throwing demonstrators outside Albania's Education Ministry on Thursday, the third day running of violence in Tirana. Prime Minister Edi Rama firmly rejected demands that he resign, arguing that elections, not revolutions, are the proper mechanism for changing governments. Wednesday's violence left 89 people hurt, among them 61 police officers, with rioters targeting government buildings, banks and businesses.

The demonstrations bring together student groups demanding education reform and a wider anti-government coalition opposed to a large Tirana development project linked to Jared Kushner.

Rama told reporters his mandate was to complete Albania's EU membership negotiations, calling any other course 'a betrayal of the Albanians who gave me a strong mandate'.

Thousands filled the streets of Tirana on Friday as the unrest showed no sign of abating, with observers drawing comparisons to anti-government movements gaining momentum elsewhere in Europe.