A force of about 5,000 Serbian police clashed repeatedly with anti-gay protesters yesterday, leading to arrests and many injuries as Belgrade hosted its first gay rights rally in nearly a decade.

The clashes and massive police deployment in Belgrade highlighted the intolerance that still pervades Serbian society.

"It is a shame for me to march, to stand for what I am, and to have thousands of cops protect me from hysteric nationalists," said Milena (36), a lesbian activist.

Ambulances raced down the streets of Belgrade. Serbian police said 141 people 124 policemen and 17 civilians were injured in the riots.

"Some 250 of them had already been detained, with 102 placed under judicial investigation for acts of violence," said Justice Minister official Slobodan Homen.