( dpa )- Belgian police arrested Saturday dozens of demonstrators at NATO headquarters in Brussels as peace activists tried to enter its grounds.
A Belgian peace initiative had called the protest under the motto "NATO game over" to prompt a debate on the alliance's role in the world. They put the number of demonstrators at around 700.
"NATO is a relict of the Cold War," said Hans Lammerant of the Belgian peace organization Vredesactie which has called for a reduction of military intervention forces in the run-up to the NATO summit in Bucharest.
"A fundamental reform of NATO is on the agenda there. They want to present a new, strategic concept on the 60th anniversary of NATO in 2009," he said, adding military expenditure should be lowered.
Huge numbers of police took up positions around NATO's headquarters early Saturday. According to Vredesactie, more than 100 demonstrators had been arrested by Saturday afternoon.
"Around 50 to 70 people managed to get inside the grounds, but were gathered up immediately. The others were arrested when they came too close to the fence," a spokesman said.
Police did not put a figure on those arrested.