Protesters lobbed stones and firebombs at the base near the city of Chania after between 1,500 and 4,000 people, depending on sources, protested against the US-led war in Iraq.

Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters and said a small fire was put out rapidly.

The organisers of the protest, the anti-globalisation Greek Social Forum, erected a large banner outside the base reading: "No to war. Close down the base".

Demonstrators took to the streets of Chania on Saturday and then marched to the base where they camped out overnight.

Left-wing opposition parties have called since the start of the war for the base to be closed. But the government of Socialsit Prime Minister Costas Simitis, has said a US-Greek agreement on use of the base by US warships will not be changed.

SPACE.WIRE