(TBILISI) - Tens of thousands of people were expected to rally across Georgia on Monday to protest against Russia's actions as EU leaders hold an emergency summit on the conflict.

Demonstrators were to form a human chain through the Georgian capital Tbilisi and similar actions were planned in major European cities including Brussels, London and Vienna.

The human chain would be formed at 3:00 pm in Tbilisi (1100 GMT) and in other major cities in Georgia, government spokeswoman Nino Imedashvili said in a statement.

In a show of national unity, the chain has been organised by the government, political parties, Georgian NGOs as well as state and private Georgian television.

"We are expecting tens of thousands of people, I think there will be over 30,000 just in Tbilisi," lawmaker Papuna Davitaia of the ruling United National Movement told AFP.

He said the rally would "show the world and Europe our unity."

Georgia is hoping EU leaders will give a tough response to Russia's August 8 incursion, occupation of several parts of Georgia, and recognition of independence for two Moscow-backed separatist regions.

President Mikheil Saakashvili called for Georgians to turn out en masse for the rallies, which will take place as the EU leaders meet in Brussels.

"I expect that Europe will support our territorial integrity and will say that it will never recognise these illegal actions," Saakashvili said in an address to the nation Sunday, according to a transcript on his website.

Saakashvili said "Russia today is more isolated than it ever was during the existence of the Soviet Union" and that the rallies "will show the entire world how united our people are."

Deputy Foreign Minister Grigol Vashadze told reporters that Georgia was expecting the EU to agree to "adequate measures" against Russia.

"The fact that an extraordinary summit is being held is already a huge sign," he said.

"I believe the measures that will be taken will be in accordance with the situation we have in Georgia. My expectations are that there will be adequate measures."

As well as London's Trafalgar Square and central Brussels, chains proclaiming "Stop Russia" were also planned in Baku, Barcelona, Jerusalem, Kiev, Madrid, Sofia, Warsaw and Vienna, Imedashvili said.

Huge billboards reading "Stop Russia" have been put up on major public buildings in Tbilisi, showing pictures of Georgians displaced in the conflicts and unflattering images of Russia's generals.

Advertisements for the rally have been running on Georgian television for days.

The adverts, which show victims of Russia's bombing campaign against Georgia and footage of a previous rally that drew tens of thousands to the streets of Tbilisi, call for Georgians to protest "hand in hand" on Monday.

"We will defeat evil together! Georgia is ours!" the television advert proclaims.

Russian troops entered Georgia to push back a Georgian offensive to retake the rebel enclave of South Ossetia, which broke away from Tbilisi in the 1990s with Moscow's backing.

Russian troops continue to hold positions in Georgia, serving in what Moscow describes as a peacekeeping mission. Tbilisi has labelled them an occupying force.

Russia's recognition of South Ossetia and another breakaway region, Abkhazia, as independent drew condemnation from Tbilisi and many Western countries.

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