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G20 call for action amid protests G20 call for action amid protests
(20 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has spoken of a "sense of urgency" needed to confront the global economic crisis.US President Barack Obama has spoken of a "sense of urgency" needed to confront the global economic crisis.
The President met UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Downing Street ahead of the G20 summit of world leaders.The President met UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Downing Street ahead of the G20 summit of world leaders.
Mr Brown said the G20 leaders were hours away from agreeing a plan for economic reform.Mr Brown said the G20 leaders were hours away from agreeing a plan for economic reform.
Thousands of demonstrators, meanwhile, are jostling with police in London's financial centre as they call for changes in the global economic system.Thousands of demonstrators, meanwhile, are jostling with police in London's financial centre as they call for changes in the global economic system.
Your pictures: G20 protests Your pictures: G20 protests
Outside the Bank of England, a small group of protesters threw small missiles at police lines, while windows were broken at a nearby branch of Royal Bank of Scotland.Outside the Bank of England, a small group of protesters threw small missiles at police lines, while windows were broken at a nearby branch of Royal Bank of Scotland.
Some protesters entered the branch and riot police drew batons at the main entrance, our reporter said.
Scotland Yard said 11 people - travelling in a renovated armoured personnel carrier - had been arrested on suspicion of possessing police uniforms.Scotland Yard said 11 people - travelling in a renovated armoured personnel carrier - had been arrested on suspicion of possessing police uniforms.
Police estimated that up to 4,000 protesters - anti-capitalists, anarchists, and climate change activists - had gathered in the City of London.Police estimated that up to 4,000 protesters - anti-capitalists, anarchists, and climate change activists - had gathered in the City of London.
Police leave during the two-day summit has been cancelled and six police forces are involved in the £7.5m security plan.Police leave during the two-day summit has been cancelled and six police forces are involved in the £7.5m security plan.
Click here for a map of expected protests Click here for a map of expected protests
Political talksPolitical talks
G20 LONDON SUMMIT World leaders will meet on Wednesday and Thursday in London to discuss measures to tackle the downturn. See our in-depth guide to the G20 summit.The G20 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, the US and the EU. Q&A: The G20 summit 7 questions on G20 spouses G20 LONDON SUMMIT World leaders will meet on Wednesday and Thursday in London to discuss measures to tackle the downturn. See our in-depth guide to the G20 summit.The G20 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK, the US and the EU. Q&A: The G20 summit 7 questions on G20 spouses
World leaders are gathering in London to discuss ways to resolve the financial crisis. Throughout the afternoon, they are due to hold bilateral talks to thrash out final details of the proposed reform plans.World leaders are gathering in London to discuss ways to resolve the financial crisis. Throughout the afternoon, they are due to hold bilateral talks to thrash out final details of the proposed reform plans.
  • President Obama met Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and accepted an invitation to visit Moscow in July. Both also agreed to start talks about a nuclear disarmament deal Russia and US renew nuclear talks
  • Mr Obama is also due to meet the Chinese Premier Hu Jintao
  • >French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold a joint press conference to underline their call for tighter regulation of the global financial sector
  • >Before leaving for London, Ms Merkel said France's threat to walk out of the summit if there was no agreement was "not the best idea"
  • >Mexico, one of the G20 countries, said it might need a $40bn loan from the International Monetary Fund to support its currency, the peso.
  • President Obama met Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and accepted an invitation to visit Moscow in July. Both also agreed to start talks about a nuclear disarmament deal Russia and US renew nuclear talks
  • Mr Obama is also due to meet the Chinese Premier Hu Jintao
  • >French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will hold a joint press conference to underline their call for tighter regulation of the global financial sector
  • >Before leaving for London, Ms Merkel said France's threat to walk out of the summit if there was no agreement was "not the best idea"
  • >Mexico, one of the G20 countries, said it might need a $40bn loan from the International Monetary Fund to support its currency, the peso.
Detailed bargaining is expected to take place at these face-to-face meetings, although the two-day summit officially begins later when leaders from the G20, which includes the world's most powerful economies, attend a reception with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, followed by a state dinner at Downing Street.Detailed bargaining is expected to take place at these face-to-face meetings, although the two-day summit officially begins later when leaders from the G20, which includes the world's most powerful economies, attend a reception with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, followed by a state dinner at Downing Street.
'Partnership of purpose''Partnership of purpose'
German Finance Minister on G20German Finance Minister on G20
President Obama said that the world was facing the most severe economic crisis since World War II.President Obama said that the world was facing the most severe economic crisis since World War II.
He said the G20 had to reject protectionism and support emerging markets, and called for countries to work together.He said the G20 had to reject protectionism and support emerging markets, and called for countries to work together.
"The United States is committed to working alongside the United Kingdom in doing whatever it takes to stimulate growth and demand and to ensure that a crisis like this never happens again," the US President said."The United States is committed to working alongside the United Kingdom in doing whatever it takes to stimulate growth and demand and to ensure that a crisis like this never happens again," the US President said.
German Finance Minister Peer Steinbruck told the BBC he did not think it very probable that someone would walk out of the G20.German Finance Minister Peer Steinbruck told the BBC he did not think it very probable that someone would walk out of the G20.
Mr Brown said the UK would renew its special relationship with the US and said it would be a "partnership of purpose".Mr Brown said the UK would renew its special relationship with the US and said it would be a "partnership of purpose".
Global solutions were needed for global problems, he said.Global solutions were needed for global problems, he said.
International relationsInternational relations
HAVE YOUR SAYNothing will be achieved. Sarkozy is already threatening to walk out. None of the EU leaders can agree amongst themselvesDavid, UK Send us your comments HAVE YOUR SAYNothing will be achieved. Sarkozy is already threatening to walk out. None of the EU leaders can agree amongst themselvesDavid, UK Send us your comments
The summit will provide a chance for the US president to demonstrate his new credentials, according to the BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Robbins.The summit will provide a chance for the US president to demonstrate his new credentials, according to the BBC's diplomatic correspondent James Robbins.
"Just not being George Bush is a huge advantage. George Bush was one of the most unpopular presidents of modern times," he said."Just not being George Bush is a huge advantage. George Bush was one of the most unpopular presidents of modern times," he said.
He also said that the UK and US were worried that their model of capitalism could be challenged by the French and Germans.He also said that the UK and US were worried that their model of capitalism could be challenged by the French and Germans.
RiftsRifts
WEDNESDAY'S TIMETABLE 0800 Obama-Brown breakfast1015 Obama-Brown press conference1145 Obama-Medvedev meeting1330 Brown begins further bilateral meetings1400 Obama-Hu Jintao meeting1630 Sarkozy-Merkel press conference1730 Obama meets Queen at Buckingham Palace1900 G20 reception with Queen at Buckingham Palace2030 State dinner at Downing Street - beginning of summitWEDNESDAY'S TIMETABLE 0800 Obama-Brown breakfast1015 Obama-Brown press conference1145 Obama-Medvedev meeting1330 Brown begins further bilateral meetings1400 Obama-Hu Jintao meeting1630 Sarkozy-Merkel press conference1730 Obama meets Queen at Buckingham Palace1900 G20 reception with Queen at Buckingham Palace2030 State dinner at Downing Street - beginning of summit
Expectations that the summit will come up with a definitive plan to stimulate the world economy are receding as rifts emerge between Europe and the US and UK.Expectations that the summit will come up with a definitive plan to stimulate the world economy are receding as rifts emerge between Europe and the US and UK.
Earlier, President Sarkozy told French radio that although there were projects on the table, "as things stand at the moment, these projects do not suit France or Germany".Earlier, President Sarkozy told French radio that although there were projects on the table, "as things stand at the moment, these projects do not suit France or Germany".
The G20 summit will be crucial for Gordon Brown, whose reputation for economic competence has been battered by the financial crisis.The G20 summit will be crucial for Gordon Brown, whose reputation for economic competence has been battered by the financial crisis.
He has sought to lead the drive for a global approach to the crisis and the meeting is an opportunity to restore his image as a competent economic manager.He has sought to lead the drive for a global approach to the crisis and the meeting is an opportunity to restore his image as a competent economic manager.
But it is unlikely to be smooth sailing.But it is unlikely to be smooth sailing.
Jan Randolf, an analyst at Global Insight, said the meeting would be unlikely to live up to the hype surrounding it.Jan Randolf, an analyst at Global Insight, said the meeting would be unlikely to live up to the hype surrounding it.
"The summit will almost certainly fall short of the lofty ambitions set out for it last year," Mr Randolf said."The summit will almost certainly fall short of the lofty ambitions set out for it last year," Mr Randolf said.
Do you work at a business, such as a shop, café or other similar outlet that could be affected? Are you closing for the day or taking steps to protect the property? We'd like to talk to you about how the planned gatherings are affecting you.Do you work at a business, such as a shop, café or other similar outlet that could be affected? Are you closing for the day or taking steps to protect the property? We'd like to talk to you about how the planned gatherings are affecting you.
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