Vienna ball draws protesters

Over 1,000 riot police prevented protesters from disrputing the ball

Hundreds of demonstrators clashed with police in Vienna during the city's annual Opera Ball, a glamorous event whose celebrity guest this year was American actress Farrah Fawcett.

The left-wing protesters were demonstrating against the inclusion of the far-right Freedom Party in Austria's centre-right government.

Although the date of the ball coincided with regular anti-government protests held each Thursday, the protest was much smaller than last year's, which came right on the heels of the formation of the government.

About 700 demonstrators threw bottles, stones and paint bombs at over 1,000 police officers. Six people, including five police officers, were injured, according to the AFP news agency.

No Hitler this year

An estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people turned out to protest at last year's Opera Ball, including a man dressed as Adolf Hitler who tried to get into the State Opera House where the event is held.

Fawcett: Honoured to be here

The lifting of European sanctions against Austria - imposed last year when Joerg Haider's Freedom Party became part of the government - enabled statesmen such as Croatian President Stipe Mesic to attend.

Mr Mesic shared a box with Austrian President Thomas Klestil as 4,500 people turned out for the ball that is the highlight of Vienna's social season.

"I feel like I'm in a period film. It's an honour to be here", said Ms Fawcett, who rose to television stardom in the 1970s as one of Charlie's Angels.

Top prices for boxes at this year's ball topped $13,000, although seats could be had for as little as $190.