BELGRADE, July 29, 2008 (AFP) - Several thousand people gathered in central Belgrade on Tuesday to protest against the transfer of Serbian ultranationalist Radovan Karadzic to face war crime charges.

The crowd chanted in support of Karadzic, former Bosnian Serb leader whose transfer to the UN war crimes tribunal in The Netherlands is said to be imminent.

Scores of anti-riot police were seen on streets, around main state buildings and the Serbian parliament.

Protesters streamed along central Belgrade avenues towards the main Republic square, where a huge stage was set up for speakers at the rally, which was called by the Serbian Radical Party.

The stage was decorated with a huge blue canvas with inscription 'Freedom for Serbia, freedom for Radovan.'

Organisers, had predicted tens of thousands would come to the rally, which was to be followed by a march through central Belgrade.