Protests for peace

Peace activists are holding numerous demonstrations on Monday on the final day of the traditonal Easter Marches with events planned in Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg and Magdeburg.

Event organizers report that attendance figures are up on last year with the focus of protests concentrationg on military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition the demonstrations are calling for a nuclear-free world.

On Sunday, thousands of people rallied in Germany to protest at plans to set up a military training ground northwest of Berlin.

Demonstrators in Fretzdorf, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the capital, called for scrapping plans to use the site, locally known as the Bombodrom, as a training ground for low-flying aircraft.

Critics say it would create noise pollution and deter tourists. Sunday's rally was one of a series of traditional Easter protest marches, which also took place in Cologne and the Ruhr area.