Police clash with youths before NATO summit

By Gilbert Reilhac and Sophie Hardach

STRASBOURG, France (Reuters) - French police fired teargas and water cannon to force back anti-NATO protesters on the outskirts of the French city of Strasbourg and cordoned off the city center before alliance leaders began a summit Friday.

Police arrested 300 people overnight, cleared the city center of protesters and peace flags, and cut off public transport to a campsite housing thousands of demonstrators.

About 100 people dressed as clowns staged a demonstration near the campsite, but were pushed back by police, a witness said.

Police then sprayed water to disperse a crowd of youths from a nearby suburb, and the youths let off fireworks.

French television said two people were injured.

The clashes were shortly after U.S. President Barack Obama addressed a U.S.-style Town Hall meeting in the center of Strasbourg before leaving by helicopter for the summit's opening session in Baden-Baden on Germany, the event's co-host.

Protesters said tensions had risen after police wounded one man with a rubber bullet in clashes with hundreds of anti-NATO activists and youths from the suburbs Thursday.

"We have been treated like serious criminals," said a German student at the campsite who identified himself as Michael.