Italian anti-war demonstrators hold a peace flag in central Rome during a protest march of several tens of thousands of people in the capital's streets against US President George W.Bush's visit. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)	Italians hold a banner with anti-war slogans on it during a protest in Rome June 4.  (Xinhua Photo)
Italian policemen stand guard on a street during a demonstration in Rome June 4.(Xinhua Photo)	A woman from the United States holds a banner criticizing US President George W. Bush during a demonstration in Rome, capital of Italy, June 4. (Xinhua Photo)
Italian ani-war protestors clash with policemen in Rome, June 4. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)	Italian policemen arrest an anti-war demonstrator in Rome, June 4. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
Italian ani-war protestors clash with policemen in Rome, June 4. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)	Italian ani-war protestors clash with policemen in Rome, June 4. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

    ROME, June 4 (Xinhuanet) -- Tens of thousands of Italian anti-war protesters took to the streets of Rome on Friday in a predominantly peaceful protest against a visit by the US President George W. Bush.

    According to organizers, at least 200,000 people took part in the main peace march through the center of the capital.

    Bush is in Rome until Saturday, taking part in the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Rome's liberation by the Allied Forces.

    His presence has drawn tens of thousands of demonstrators to the capital to protest against the war on Iraq, postwar developments and the Italian government's support for the United States.

    Those taking part in the main protest march gathered behind a huge banner saying "No War, No Bush," waving rainbow-colored peace flags.

    A group of Americans also took part, holding up a banner which read "Americans Against Bush." Two American female protesters who held up a banner in Piazza Venezia saying "Bush Dishonors Us All" were greeted with a loud round of applause.

    Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is a staunch ally of Bush and Italy has sent some 3,000 troops to postwar Iraq - the third largest contingent behind the United States and Britain.     

    Many roads were blocked for security reasons and buses were re-routed while the underground railway system saw a 60 percent plunge in the number of passengers. This was partly due to reportson Thursday that some protesters were planning to block the transport service. Enditem