German far-right marches during World Cup

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany, June 10 (Reuters) Some 200 German right-wing extremists chanting ''foreigners out'' were pelted by apples and tomatoes today as they marched through World Cup host city Gelsenkirchen, police said.

Supporters of the extremist National Democratic Party (NPD), most sporting shaved heads and black clothes, also shouted ''Solidarity with Iran''.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has faced criticism in Germany and around the world for questioning whether the Holocaust took place and inflammatory remarks about Israel.

The extremists faced a counter demonstration by more than 5,000 people, including politicians such as Social Democrat Vice Chancellor Franz Muentefering and Parliament President Norbert Lammert from the conservatives.

Members of the counter demonstration waved banners saying ''No Nazis'' and others pelted the NPD marchers with apples and tomatoes, police said.

''No one in Germany should have to be afraid just because he or she is different,'' Muentefering told the crowd.

Police forces separated the two groups.

A state court had banned the NPD march, but the country's constitutional court later lifted the ban.

Germany's right-wing political scene has come under scrutiny as millions of fans from around the globe descend on Germany for the World Cup, which started yesterday and ends with the final on July 9 in Berlin.

The NPD is also planning marches in Frankfurt and Munich during the tournament.

REUTERS SI BD2248