(ANSA-AP) - TIRANA, FEB 21 - Thousands of protesters supporting Albania's opposition surrounded the parliament building Thursday and demanded the government step down, claiming it's corrupt and has links to organized crime. Hundreds of police and rolls of barbed wire protected the parliament building in downtown Tirana, the capital, from the protesters.

Thursday's parliament session was cancelled. Opposition lawmakers, led by the center-right Democratic Party of Lulzim Basha, have signed letters of resignation from parliament and are demanding an early election. Supporters of the opposition gathered in front of the parliament building with anti-government posters and slogans. "We will now lead a civic, peaceful and democratic battle to restore legitimacy and democracy in Albania," Basha said before the start of the rally. (ANSA-AP).