KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) - Tens of thousands of communist demonstrators flooded the streets leading to government headquarters in Nepal’s capital Thursday - one of the biggest protests against the president and government in months.

Demonstrators prevented officials from entering the area as hundreds of police officers in riot gear armed with batons and tear gas guarded the complex, which houses the government’s main offices.

Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal - who quit in May as prime minister, ending a Maoist-led government - told The Associated Press the protests that have grown in size throughout the country in the past few weeks would continue until their demands for the government’s and president’s resignation are met.

"It is our duty as nation-loving citizens to come to the rescue of the country. That is why we have gathered here in a large number," Dahal said.

Dahal resigned after President Ram Baran Yadav rejected his government’s decision to fire the army chief. The president’s rejection prompted the Maoists to pull out of the coalition government, and since then they have organized protests both in the streets and parliament.