Mass arrests at Republican demo

Protesters have accused the police of being brutal

Police in Philadelphia have arrested at least 282 demonstrators during violent protests aimed at disrupting the US Republican Party convention.

At least five police officers have been injured and 10 protesters charged with assault.

Protesters had warned of disruptions

Despite unrest on the streets outside, however, the convention's second day went ahead as planned - with American military might the predominant theme.

Delegates were told that the party's presidential candidate, George W Bush, would, if elected, push ahead with America's controversial missile defence programme - despite Russian opposition to the plan and the reluctance of US allies.

"It is time to have a president devoted to a new nuclear strategy and to the deployment of effective missile defences at the earliest possible date," his foreign policy adviser, Condoleezza Rice, said.

Protesters defiant

Some delegates had trouble getting from their hotels to the convention centre.

The protesters linked arms at several intersections in central Philadelphia in an attempt to block traffic.

A police spokeswoman told the BBC that three police officers had been injured when an unidentified liquid was squirted in their eyes.

About 20 police cars and other vehicles were damaged.

Streets were blocked by protesters who linked arms

Protesters have been claiming victory, accusing police of inciting violence.

"Overall, we feel we successfully accomplished our mission, which was to disrupt business as usual during the Republican convention," said Amadee Braxton of Philadelphia's Black Radical Congress.

Demonstrators have been trying to draw public attention to a range of issues including poverty, homelessness and the death penalty.

The clashes came after three days of largely peaceful protests, but organisers warned they would get more disruptive.

Republican show goes on

Opinion polls show the Mr Bush leading his far more experienced Democrat rival, Vice-President Al Gore, when it comes to being trusted with US security.

Ms Rice and the governor's defeated opponent in the primaries, former Vietnam veteran and current Arizona Senator John McCain, headed the list of Tuesday's speakers.

Ms Rice - who could become the nation's first black national security adviser if Mr Bush is elected - said he would pursue a policy of peace through strength.

Other speakers included former Gulf War General Norman Schwarzkopf, who addressed delegates via a satellite link from the battleship USS New Jersey.

He noted that Wednesday was the 10th anniversary of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, and said that President Clinton had neglected America's armed forces, casting doubt on their ability to carry out an operation similar to that which drove Iraqi troops from Kuwait.

Supporting minorities

The Republicans opened their convention promising support for America's ethnic minorities.

In the keynote speech, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell said Mr Bush could "help bridge" the country's racial divide.

For the first time, many Americans also had a chance to hear the views of Mr Bush's wife Laura.

She also took up the theme of inclusion, stressing the importance of early learning and childhood development programmes.

The Democrats hold their convention in Los Angeles in two weeks' time.