Protestors clash with police in Quebec

Anti-capitalist protestors in Quebec have fought running battles with Canadian police and soldiers during the opening day of the Summit of the Americas.

Officers responded by firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperese the thousands of people who have gathered to condemn the conference.

The protestors claim a trade agreement being discussed at the summit is designed to exploit poorer nations.

About 150 police officers, marching to the beat of their nightsticks on plastic shields, lobbed tear gas and smoke cannisters during three hours of confrontations with more than 1,000 demonstrators.

Five policemen were injured and 25 protestors arrested.

The activists from labour groups, human rights organisations, environmental bodies and from social and political circles tore down a 150ft stretch of security fence that was erected around the conference venue.

They also threw bricks and rocks at police officers.

They believe that a free-trade agreement being negotiated among the 34 nations at the summit will be used by multinational firms to exploit cheap labourers in poorer nations and to pollute the environments of these countries.