March against Powell Games visit

Protesters are angry about the US-led war in Iraq

Hundreds of people have been marching through Athens to protest against a visit by US Secretary of State Colin Powell for the Olympic Games.

They had hoped to march to the US embassy but their route was blocked by several hundred riot police.

Some violent scuffles also broke out, with police reportedly using tear gas as protesters hurled projectiles and broke property.

The demonstrators were marching against the US' policies in the Middle East.

Many carried Palestinian flags and placards criticising the US-led war in Iraq.

Police wanted the demonstrators to stay clear of the embassy, which is located on a major Olympic traffic lane, correspondents say.

'Not welcome'

Petros Constantinou, one of the protest organisers told BBC News Online: "We are here because we believe Colin Powell should not be coming to Greece.

"He has been very provocative over the whole issue of the US being in Iraq - this is a peaceful demonstration to show that we do not want him here.

Mr Constantinou, who works for a trade union newspaper, added: "We are not anti-American, we are anti-American imperialism."

One protester shouted in English through a megaphone: "Colin Powell is persona non grata.

"Powell you are not welcome - don't come this way."

Some held placards with "undesirable" scrawled across a picture of Mr Powell.

Mr Powell is set to arrive in Athens on Saturday and is scheduled to attend the Olympics closing ceremony on Sunday.

Stand-off

The protesters marched through the central Syntagma Square, and their route was to take them past the Hilton Hotel, where several International Olympic Committee officials are staying, and on to the US embassy.

But police blocked the road leading from the square to the Hilton.

The Greek authorities said they recognise the demonstrators' right to protest, but asked them not to cause trouble.

"We have offered an environment of celebration and joy, security and respect of human rights," Public Order Minister Yiorgos Voulgarakis told a news conference before the march began.

"I want to believe that the demonstrators... will respect this climate," he said.

The Greek Communist Party is organising another protest for Saturday.