BARCELONA, SPAIN

In the city's first sign of street trouble during the leaders' gathering, though it took place in the Gothic old part, well away from the main summit venue.

The police broke up a crowd of several hundred anti-globalisation activists, beating several. Shops in the downtown Ramblas district closed up, quickly.

Barcelona had been bracing for it, with a force of some 8,500 on hand to prevent or contain the violent chaos that previous international meetings have seen.

Eyewitnesses said officers had tried to move on a crowd of people gathering around the historic Liceu opera house. That led to scuffles, and bottles and cafe chairs were thrown.

At border crossings, at least half a dozen coachloads of organised anti-globalisation protesters, trying to enter Spain from France, were turned back.