Parts of Edinburgh were brought to a standstill as the anarchists launched carefully orchestrated attacks.

Officers in riot gear faced a barrage of stones, bottles and broken park benches.

Nearly 30 arrests were made and some police and protesters had hospital treatment.

Police chief Tom Halpin said of the mob: "Their agenda was not lawful protest, this was about bringing disruption."

Intelligence sources said the demonstrators were "hell-bent" on breaching security at Gleneagles, where the summit of the world's wealthiest nations opens tomorrow.

Geldof's Live 8 campaign and the Make Poverty History coalition want massive peaceful pressure put on the eight leaders over Africa aid, debt relief and trade.

But yesterday - ahead of tomorrow's Live 8 concert in Edinburgh and as Long Walk to Justice supporters arrived in the Scottish capital - that mood was viciously hijacked.

The demo was billed as an anti-G8 "carnival". But about 150 police walked into a well-planned ambush as they pursued one gang next to the Standard Life HQ building.

As they herded them under a bridge, they were showered with wooden panels, rotting rubbish bags and even an old flat iron.

The officers charged the group - believed to be the extreme Rebel Clown Army - andd put them to flight. Earlier a crowd of around 200 squared up to a mounted police line at the foot of Edinburgh's famous Scott Monument.

A rock was hurled, hitting the nose guard of one horse. Tension seem to ease. Then a group of police, batons drawn, chased five black-clad protesters through Princes Street Gardens.

As they grabbed one, they were surrounded by more missile-throwing demonstrators. Plants plucked from the gardens and waste-bin debris rained down on the besieged officers, forcing them to retreat.

Among the 30 arrests, said police, were some "key ringleaders". A highly-placed source said: "The mission's slogan is 'Crash Their Party', meaning they want to get to Gleneagles. They are absolutely determined. Activists have come from all over Europe. Their tactics are sophisticated and they are well-organised."

Geldof was at Heathrow for Virgin Atlantic's Long Walk To Justice Flight, carrying campaigners from all over the world to Edinburgh.

Sir Bob said: "Certainly the British negotiators are right up to the wire trying to get a deal done. But I am not sure the others want to do it, which will be a grotesque failure. But be it on their own heads."

Downing Street was yesterday forced to deny that Tony Blair had snubbed Live 8.

The Premier sent no message of support and said nothing about the event during a trip to Singapore to support London's 2012 Olympic bid.

A No10 spokesman said: "He spent a lot of time focusing on G8 issues last week. It is not ignoring it or a slap in the face."

President Bush warned that Mr Blair could expect no special favours at the summit.

He said: "I don't really view our relationship as one of quid pro quo...I go to the G8 with an agenda that I think is best for our country."

No10 said: "Because they take a different view doesn't mean that the US cannot work with Europe and others."

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AGiX Note: Don't fucking throw rocks or anything else at horses. These sentient beings have had their spirits broken by bastard humans and are used solely as machines by aggressive state forces. Get it?
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