Montenegro police throw tear gas to disperse opposition protest

Montenegrin police fire tear gas against opposition supporters during a protest in front of the Parliament building in Podgorica, Montenegro, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015. Police fired tear gas at opposition supporters who hurled fire bombs and torches to demand the resignation Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's government which hopes to steer the Balkan country toward NATO membership later this year. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic) (The Associated Press)

Montenegrin police officers stand in flames as torches are hurled by opposition supporters during a protest in front of the Parliament building in downtown Podgorica, Montenegro, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015. Police fired tear gas at opposition supporters who hurled fire bombs and torches to demand the resignation Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's government which hopes to steer the Balkan country toward NATO membership later this year. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic) (The Associated Press)

A torch hurled by opposition supporters bursts into flames while Montenegrin police officers stand during a protest in front of the Parliament building in Podgorica, Montenegro, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015. Police fired tear gas at opposition supporters who hurled fire bombs and torches to demand the resignation Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's government which hopes to steer the Balkan country toward NATO membership later this year. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic) (The Associated Press)

Montenegrin police have fired tear gas at opposition supporters who hurled fire bombs and torches to demand the resignation Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic's government which hopes to steer the Balkan country toward NATO membership later this year.

Several thousand protesters charged Saturday evening at the Parliament building in downtown Podgorica, the capital, shouting "Milo Thief" and throwing various objects, including fire-bombs, at riot police guarding the site. The police then threw tear gas, chasing away the demonstrators with armored vehicles.

Police also used tear gas twice last week against stone-throwing government opponents, who are calling for early elections and a referendum on whether Montenegro should join NATO.

Montenegrin pro-Western government hopes to be invited to join the military alliance in December. Many Montenegrins with historic ties to Russia remain opposed.