In pictures: Anti-IMF protests

Baton-wielding riot police in Washington fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators trying to prevent Sunday's meetings of financial leaders from the world's richest nations.

Police were out in force to prevent a repeat of Seattle

They had cordoned off the centre of Washington

Demonstrators sought to deny access to the meetings

Some tried to block a street near the White House

Police responded with force to disperse the crowds

They used tear gas, batons and pepper spray

A number of demonstrators were arrested

But most of the protest was peaceful