Police officers injured in Northern Irish parade violence

BELFAST - Eighteen police officers in Northern Ireland were injured in clashes with Irish nationalist protesters on Friday night, police said on Saturday.

Violence erupted after Protestant "Orange" men and their supporters marched through the mainly nationalist Ardoyne area in north Belfast during the annual Tour of the North parade.

"During the disturbance a total of 18 police officers sustained minor injuries," a police spokeswoman said.

Police used water cannon to disperse the protesters who attacked the police and marchers with bottles and stones.

Northern Ireland's summer marching season, in which pro-British Protestants celebrate historic victories over Catholics, often sparks conflict between the two communities.

The Tour of the North is one of the first in a series Orangemen parades, which culminates in the biggest demonstrations on July 12.

- REUTERS