Protests mark Bush’s arrival in Europe

HUNDREDS of demonstrators protested against US President George W Bush’s visit to Europe yesterday following the president’s arrival in Belgium.

Mr Bush will meet more than two dozen European leaders during a tour aimed at healing the trans-atlantic rift that opened during his first term, notably over the Iraq war.

“He is coming to persuade and influence the European leaders. We are afraid the European leaders will distance themselves from their people,” said Pol de Vos, one of about 700 anti-Bush protesters marching peacefully in downtown Brussels.