Tiananmen Square protesters detained

More than 40 people have been detained after demonstrating in Tiananmen Square.

They were foreign members of the outlawed Falun Gong group.

New York-based Falun Gong activists say between 50 and 100 members from Western countries had planned to demonstrate in the Chinese capital.

The group says another 14 Western followers were detained by police in their hotels ahead of the protest.

The demonstration forced police briefly to clear tourists from the centre of the square.

At least three police mini-buses and several squad cars were seen picking up protesters as they appeared from a crowd gathered for Chinese New Year holidays.

"The trouble caused by these Falun Gong members was intended to prevent the Chinese people from celebrating" the lunar New Year, Beijing police said.

Security was extremely tight even before the protest. Westerners approaching the square were asked to show identification. Foreign journalists were turned away or physically held.

At least seven foreign reporters were also taken to a police station and questioned.

It was the fourth and largest protest in Tiananmen Square by foreign followers of the group.