Arrests in Naples street battles

Demonstrators try to break through the security line

NAPLES, Italy -- At least 120 people were injured as thousands of anti-globalisation protesters clashed with riot police in Naples.

Rocks and petrol bombs were thrown during demonstrations against the Global Forum conference, a meeting of political, finance and technology leaders discussing the role of the Internet in government.

Police and protesters were engaged in violent hand-to-hand exchanges for about 20 minutes, the police using batons and teargas, the demonstrators hurling paving stones and swinging crow bars.

Police put the number injured at over 120, with a police commander rushed to hospital with severe head injuries.

About 50 protesters were detained.

"The situation is under control, but we remain vigilant," Naples police spokesman Nicola Izzo said.

Most residents barricaded themselves in their homes, while others watched the scenes of mayhem from the relative safety of fourth- and fifth-floor balconies.

"It was like guerrilla warfare," one Neapolitan said afterwards.

Although the Naples protest was called to denounce globalization, there were also people protesting at the imprisonment in Turkey of Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan and Neapolitans complaining they have no jobs.

Organizers put their numbers at least 10,000, while Naples' police headquarters said about half that number turned out.

Demonstrators had gathered at the main train station, before marching through the streets carrying banners declaring "No Global Forum," clashing with police following a tense stand-off near the conference venue at Naples' Royal Palace.

More than 4,000 regular police, paramilitary Carabinieri and specialist bomb squads had been drafted into Naples in the past week to thwart protests.

A kilometre-square area in the centre was ringed off with steel fencing and squads of riot vehicles, while undercover police agents carried out extensive spot security checks.

Tight security has been imposed at dozens of summits and high-level finance meetings throughout Europe and the United States since huge anti-globalisation riots destroyed a meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Seattle in 1999.

Delegates at the Global Forum include Italian Prime Minister Giuliano Amato, interior ministers from several European and African countries, senior World Bank and IMF officials and the chief executives of dozens of global corporations.

On Friday there was a peaceful protest with demonstrators wearing pasta colanders on their heads and throwing lettuce leaves at police.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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