Protests take place in France ahead of G7 summit

World leaders began gathering in a French spa town Monday for a summit of the Group of Seven nations with a new impetus following US President Donald Trump's announcement of an agreement that he says will bring an end to the Middle East War. Protests have erupted in France and neighbouring Switzerland ahead of the summit.

US President Donald Trump arrives in Evian-les-Bains for talks with G7 leaders, including some who have been sharply critical of his managing of the roughly 15-week Iran conflict.

Trump has had sharp disagreement with host French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over failing to consult them before the decision to go to war.

In addition to Iran, the other leading issue will be Ukraine war that's largely slipped down the White House's list of top priorities.

Oxfam activists stages a protest in Publier, France featuring people dressed as leaders ahead of the opening of the G7 summit.

The demonstration portray G7 leaders standing around an overflowing rubbish bin filled with giant discarded folders labeled "gender inequalities," "climate," and "tax the rich," denouncing the omission of those issues from the agenda of the summit starting on Monday.

The organisation's Executive Director for France, Cecile Duflot, says the protest aimed to "show that a G7 meeting is taking place while, at US President Donald Trump's request, issues that are absolutely crucial are being left off the agenda, human rights, gender equality and, of course, climate." She also criticises the gap between military spending and humanitarian aid among G7 countries.

Protesters in Geneva clash with police, set a car on fire and smash the windows of a bank to show their discontent with the G7 group of rich countries ahead of the summit in nearby France.

Environmentalists and feminists join foes of imperialism, defenders of independent media, supporters of Palestinian rights and others in a lakeside park in Geneva for a march across the Swiss city.

Police use tear gas in response to projectiles being thrown at them by demonstrators and at firefighters attending the scene of a burning car just minutes away from the march route as riot police cordoned off a secure zone for them to work.

A spokesperson for the Geneva police says an estimated 7,000 people were taking part in the march.