Bush attempts to sell expanded war on terror

US President George Bush met German leaders today as he worked to boost support for expanding the war against terror beyond Afghanistan.

But his hard line on Iraq drew scepticism from allies and street protests at the outset of his week-long tour of Europe.

Thousands of protesters massed yesterday to oppose any widening of the anti-terrorism campaign as Bush began his first visit to Germany as president.

About 20,000 anti-war demonstrators took to the streets. While the protests were mostly peaceful, violence broke out among groups of hooded youths and pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

A US flag was burned, and demonstrators pelted police in riot gear with bottles and stones. Berlin police said 58 people were arrested and 44 police officers were injured in the clashes.

Bush was received this morning by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder at Bellevue Palace, the official presidential residence.

‘‘Herr Schroeder, I believe it is,’’ Bush said as they shook hands in the bright sunshine outside the palace.

Then, he and German President Johannes Rau reviewed troops while a military band played the US and German national anthems.

Later, after talks with Schroeder and Rau, Bush was to address a session of the Bundestag, Germany’s parliament.

He and Schroeder were also holding a joint news conference, the first time Bush has faced US reporters since revelations that he was briefed prior to the September 11 terror attacks that Islamic militants might try to hijack US airliners.

In his speech to the Bundestag, Bush will salute progress towards a Europe ‘‘whole, free and at peace’’ and discuss the evolving role of Nato and warming ties with Russia, aides said.

He was also to thank Germans for their support in the anti-terrorism war.

Also, while administration officials insist Bush has made no decision on how or when to confront Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Secretary of State Colin Powell said Bush would not avoid the subject in his talks with Schroeder.

‘‘They will talk about those nations that are developing weapons of mass destruction that threaten us all, and I am quite confident they will have a conversation about Iraq in that category,’’ Powell said.

After his speech, Bush will head to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin and Bush will sign a treaty slashing their strategic nuclear arsenals to about one-third of present levels.