Anti-government protests hit Peru

Thousands of people have joined marches and strikes across Peru in protest at rising prices and the government's free-market policies.

They say the government has not spread the wealth from an economic boom.

Strikers gathered in a main square in the capital, Lima, waving red flags and accusing President Alan Garcia of being a traitor to his socialist roots.

Transport was disrupted but the protests were largely peaceful. Police say they arrested about 200 people.

The protesters say the president's free market policies are benefiting only the business sector and multinational companies, leaving the poor behind.

They complain that Peru is enjoying one of the world's highest growth rates, which ran at about 9% last year and is forecast to be around 8% this year, but pay remains low and the cost of living keeps rising.