The peace flotilla had assembled off Barceloneta beach following a call by the global environmental pressure group to protest "against the invasion of Iraq and demand the immediate return to a system based on international law".

"In Barcelona there are protests every day. Spaniards and above all Catalans are very angry with the central Spanish government," said Francois Provost, a Greenpeace member aboard the Rainbow Warrior.

"There are protest camps day and night on the beaches and every idea for a demonstration against the war is put to use," he said.

The Spanish government has firmly aligned itself with the United States and Britain in pushing for war, despite strong public opposition.

Another demonstration against the war was scheduled to take place in Barcelona, capital of the regionla of Catalonia, at 10 pm (2000 GMT) on Sunday.

SPACE.WIRE