Anti-Bush protesters battle cops in Chile

Protesters march during a demonstration against the Apec Forum and US President George W. Bush's visit to Chile Friday in Santiago. Chilean anti-riot police fired water cannon and tear gas at stone-throwing protesters in a massive rally against a major Asia-Pacific summit. PHOTO: AFP

A large march against the weekend meeting of 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum turned violent when a few dozen youths broke away from the main group to attack police.

About 100 people were arrested and four were injured, police said.

President Bush arrived late on Friday for a visit that has been a lightning rod for protests.

Tens of thousands of people streamed through central Santiago carrying banners and chanting slogans against the US-led occupation of Iraq, including "Fascist Bush is a terrorist."

The area hit by the violence was small and had no effect on pre-summit bilateral talks between Apec leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's President Hu Jintao. All 21 leaders meet on Saturday and Sunday.