GENEVA: A group of demonstrators protesting against the World Trade Organization (WTO) smashed shop windows and set fire to several cars in central Geneva on Saturday, witnesses said.

Police in riot gear had to intervene and tried to head off the vandalizing protesters in the city's main shopping street, leading to clashes, they said.

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An estimated 3,000 people took part in the march, which meant to protest against a WTO ministerial conference starting on Monday.

The conference aims to review all the activities of the world trade body, including the long-running Doha Round of global trade negotiations.

Anti-WTO activists have accused the body of adopting trade policies in favor of multinational companies while neglecting the interests of the poor.

Similar protests have happened during previous WTO ministerial meetings.