Officer faces manslaughter inquiry after G8 protester's death

An Italian police officer is being investigated for possible manslaughter after a protester was shot dead at the G8 summit.

The protester was killed during violent street clashes yesterday in which more than 100 people were hurt.

Police say a 20-year-old officer, who was taken to hospital suffering shock, is under investigation by prosecutors in connection with the shooting.

The dead man was identified as Carlo Giuliani, 23, an Italian living in unoccupied buildings in the centre of Genoa.

Italian Interior Minister Claudio Scajola says the demonstrator who was killed "was hit by a bullet, presumably fired in self-defence by one of the injured Carabinieri," a paramilitary policeman.

Meanwhile, a new wave of thousands of marchers have today flooded the streets, but early protests have been calm.

The mood among the mainly middle-aged labour activists is mainly calm, although a few protesters yelled out "Police assassins!" Police are keeping a close watch on the march but have not intervened.

The umbrella group that organised the massive street protests is calling on world leaders to suspend their G8 summit because of the violence. But leaders, while expressing sorrow over the death, said "our work goes on."

"The G8 is covered in blood," said a notice posted on the website of the Genoa Social Forum. "The G-8 must be stopped immediately. Police must return to headquarters."

In a joint statement issued late on Friday, the summit leaders expressed regret for the death and condemned the violence. They urged peaceful protesters to isolate lawbreakers by example.