TIRANA, Albania (CNN) -- Facing arrest as a coup-plotter, opposition leader Sali Berisha on Friday led a peaceful rally but called on all Albanians to be ready to make the "supreme sacrifice" to oust the government. The former president's defiant call came just before parliament voted by an overwhelming majority to remove his parliamentary immunity.

The action allows prosecutors to press charges that Berisha attempted to overthrow the government during violent unrest on Monday.

The vote was 108 for stripping him of his immunity with none opposing. Five ballots were declared invalid. There was no immediate comment from Berisha on the vote.

Berisha leads peaceful rally

An earlier rally of at least 3,000 people in the capital city's main square was the latest in a series of protests after the killing of Azem Hajdarim, a close aide to Berisha. Berisha blamed the death on Prime Minister Fatos Nano and his Socialist-led government.

Though Berisha supporters have protested for three straight days, they have failed to gather in significant numbers, indicating that tensions that were kindling violent riots early this week may be fading.

Flanked by a score of bodyguards, Berisha led the march from Democratic party headquarters to Skanderbeg Square, where witnesses said there was no obvious police presence.

However, people headed to the rally were searched by masked police. Berisha told the protesters police had set up road blocks on a main road into Tirana to prevent protesters from joining the rally.

Willing to die?

The crowd, carrying Albanian flags and banners reading "Prime Minister Nano -- mastermind of political murders," appeared to be unarmed. Shouts of "Azem, you are alive!" and "Death to communists!" were heard.

In a statement, Berisha said Albanians must be willing to die to get rid of the "Fatos Nano clique."

Ahead of the protest, international officials urged Albanians to remain calm.

"We feel it will be very good for people to stay at home, so that they are not being misused for political ends," said Daan Everts, the representative of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Albanian President Rexhep Meidani also issued a public appeal for calm after meeting with Everts and other Western officials.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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