200 anti-WEF protesters held by police

Police detained about 200 protesters who took part in an illegal demonstration Saturday against the World Economic Forum, which starts next week in eastern Switzerland.

Police prevented an initial group of 100 people from marching through the city. Later, a larger number of protesters throwing bottles met with police using tear gas and water cannons. Observers said that police also used rubber shots.

Stefan Blaettler, who heads the state police of Bern, did not give an exact number for how many were detained. He said 200 or so were being searched and questioned, and would be released after identity checks and questioning. Under Swiss law, they can be held for a maximum of 24 hours.

Some of the protesters were carrying baseball bats, Blaettler told reporters. No major damage was immediately reported, police said.

On Thursday, city authorities withdrew authorization for the demonstration because its organizers did not dissociate themselves from violence. When organizers refused to cancel the protest, security was tightened because of potential riots.

Meanwhile, about 150 people demonstrated peacefully against the World Economic Forum in the northeastern city of St. Gallen.

Around 2,500 participants from around the world, including 27 heads of state or government, will gather for the annual meeting starting Wednesday in the Alpine resort of Davos, eastern Switzerland.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will be headliners for the five-day meeting, where a wide range of topics including climate change, terrorism and the global credit crunch will be discussed.