QUEBEC CITY Leaders from 34 nations promised to push for free trade and deeper democracy at the close on Sunday of a summit of the Americas marred by violent street protests that at times disrupted their work.

Three days of clashes between police and anti-globalization activists seeking to breach a well-fortified security fence did not stop the summit confirming plans to create a free trade area of the Americas, stretching from Canada to Chile.

The world's largest trade zone, due to take effect by the end of 2005, would have a combined annual output of over $11 trillion, and the leaders gathered in Quebec City, including U.S. President George W. Bush, hope it will curb poverty.

"The benefits of free trade for all the countries of this hemisphere are strong," Bush told a final news conference. "And I intend to vigorously pursue a free trade agenda."

The demonstrators, following the line taken at protest-hit international meetings in Seattle, Prague and Washington, say the free trade area will benefit big business and hurt the poor. They claim the leaders have no legitimate right to negotiate such important matters behind closed doors.

Most protesters were peaceful but some attacked the steel perimeter fence with sticks, chains and bottles. They hauled it down in a couple of places before police drove them back with tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets just blocks from summit sites.

"The fence was a reasonable security measure that limited clashes and had the summit go on," said Gaetan Labbe, Quebec City police chief, of the barrier that -- erected to protect the leaders -- became a symbol and focus of the conflict.

Police arrested about 400 people, including a U.S. photographer working for *** Time *** magazine who said he had been a victim of mistaken identity. Over 60 people were injured, including 45 protesters, police said.

But inside the summit center the mood was optimistic and the presidents and prime ministers were smiling.

As the summit neared an end, squads of riot police, backed by water cannon trucks, guarded the security fence, which snaked for 4 miles (6km) around central parts of the historic walled city. But there were no serious incidents.

Hundreds of demonstrators left in buses with gas masks hanging out of the windows. Many were crying and hugging each other as they said goodbye.

The demonstrators ranged from a violent fringe of up to 6,000 militants to middle-aged ex-hippies, trade unionists, environmentalists and other activists for social and economic causes, of whom about 25,000 marched peacefully on Saturday.

"We're participating in something that's bigger than just the FTAA (Free Trade Agreement of the Americas), than the summit of the Americas," said Toronto student Ned Dolan. "It's a radicalization of culture and a broader movement ... in the long run it will lead to change."

(Reuter)