Cologne, Germany - Anti-immigrant rightists from around Europe gathered Friday to protest against a planned mosque in the German city of Cologne and chased a man of Turkish appearance.

Police have called in reinforcements, fearing the rightists may clash with Cologne's ethnic minorities and German leftists.

Reporters said they saw the rightists chase a lone man across a main road near a suburban Cologne town hall and then shove him.

Police did not act till the unnamed man, whose hair colour suggested that he might be of Turkish origin, ran to them and asked for protection. Police then shielded him from the pursuers.

An anti-immigrant group, Pro Cologne, has invited rightists from Belgium, France, Austria and other nations to join it at a Saturday demonstration against plans for Cologne's grand mosque, which will have two minarets and a dome.

The rally plans have upset the Islamic world. The government of Iran appealed in vain to Germany to prohibit the demonstration.

Pro Cologne scheduled a news conference Friday in the suburban town hall to amplify its views. It says it will stage a "tour" of multi-ethnic districts of the city and expects
1,000 to 1,500 supporters at the Saturday rally.

Trade unions and mainstream parties forecast 40,000 will attend a counter-demonstration at the same time against the rightists. (dpa)