Anti-globalisation demonstrators have clashed with police in Rome as they gathered in the city for a mass protest against the European Union summit.
A group of around 50 demonstrators wearing bandanas overtheir faces smashed the front windows of several shops in asouthern district of the city, near the Basilica of San Paolo,including an agency that provides temporary work.
Local news agency Ansa said black smoke was rising from onebuilding. Police said they had detained 24 people as they fledthe scene of the disturbances.
In the centre of Rome, a crowd of around 300 protestersthrew toilet rolls at the main offices of Prime Minister SilvioBerlusconi's government and shouted taunts.
Yesterday, a small group of demonstrators deposited severalbuckets of manure in front of Berlusconi's private residence incentral Rome.
Police used batons to control the crowds, but no one wasarrested, officials said.
Tens of thousands of anti-globalisation demonstrators aredue to march through a district south of Rome later on Saturdayto protest against an EU summit called to finalise discussion ofan EU constitution.
At the same time, thousands of trade unionists are scheduledto march through the centre of the city to protest not only overthe summit meeting, but also government labour and pensionreforms.