Washington: Group of Seven economic policymakers opened a meeting in Washington on September 27 to boost a flagging world economic recovery as anti-globalisation demonstrations were held around Washington.

Financial market turmoil, Iraqi war fears and a slower-than-expected global recovery provided the economic backdrop as ministers met in the US guest residence of Blair House, across the road from White House.

Authorities arrested hundreds of protesters in Central Washington after anti- capitalist groups had threatened to bring the city to a standstill.

The G-7 central bankers and Finance Ministers sought to steer a course towards renewed growth amid the threat of war in Iraq and were considering plans to step up debt relief aid to some of the world's poorest countries.