Between 6,000 and 15,000 people, according to police and organizer estimates, respectively, marched past the British and toward the US embassies in Athens, both of which were sealed off and protected by riot police in full gear. Minor clashes between demonstrators and police were reported.

Greece's Communist Party was due to hold another anti-war demonstration in the capital later in the day.

Around 5,000 people, mostly pupils, gathered outside the US consulate in the northern port city of Salonika and burned a US flag. In the western city of Patras, hooded demonstrators hurled stones at the British consulate lightly injuring one policeman.

Schools were closed throughout the country.

Smaller demonstrations were reported in western Ioannina as well as outside a key NATO naval base on the Mediterranean island of Crete being used by US war vessels.

More than 300,000 people had turned out for anti-war demonstrations in Athens on March 20 and 21.

SPACE.WIRE