Kurdish protesters invade UN headquarters

A group of Kurdish protesters have slipped into the United Nations European headquarters and held a noisy demonstration against the Turkish government.

The group of about 40 people got into the grounds of the building via a side gate, said UN spokeswoman Marie Heuze.

They gathered in the building's main entrance hall, close to where the 53-nation UN Human Rights commission is holding its six-week session.

They carried banners accusing the Turkish government of killing 41 political prisoners.

Ms Heuze said the group agreed to leave after representatives met the president of the commission, Argentinian Ambassador Leandro Despouy.

In February 1999, Kurdish protesters forced their way into the UN building and occupied the meeting room used by the commission for more than 36 hours.