Volos (Greece): Greek police have halted a demonstration by about 20 people protesting against China's crackdown in Tibet as the flame for the Beijing Olympics passed through the town of Volos.

One person was arrested as the group were stopped from putting up a protest banner in the centre of the town, about 300 kilometres north of Athens.

Greek police have intensified security around the torch relay in the country since the Olympic flame was lit on Monday, when three rights activists disrupted the ceremony at Ancient Olympia.

On Thursday, police arrested two people when they tried to put up a banner in Salonika on the route being used for the flame, which arrives in Athens on Saturday and is to be handed over to the Beijing Games organisers on Sunday.

The Greek Olympic Committee has banned press photographers from the Acropolis today for the flame's arrival ceremony in Athens, sparking protests by journalists.

Source : PTI