The demonstrators held up dozens of multi-colored peace flags and chanted slogans like "Stop the War," and "Peace in Iraq."

Some of them lay down on the square in front of the Quirinale palace and covered themselves with white sheets splattered with red paint.

An MP from the opposition Green party, Paolo Cento, took part in the demonstration together with MP Luisa Morgantini.

There was a brief moment of tension when some activists held up a banner saying "Afghanistan, Kosovo, Military Bases, Italy at War."

Rome police ordered the demonstrators to remove the banner and tried to prevent one of the activists from addressing the crowd.

Four anti-war activists were arrested Sunday on charges of damaging three Esso petrol stations in the northern city of Milan.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2003)