Police say they were told not to allow anybody near the meeting

The arrests were made at roadblocks several kilometres from where the meeting is being held at the beach resort of Ukunda, says AP news agency.

Ministers from more than 30 countries are trying to break a deadlock over new rules for world trade.

Poor countries want rich nations to reduce agricultural subsidies.

The ministers are supposed to draft an agreement which will be put to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) conference in Hong Kong next December.

Behind schedule

"We are shocked at the action of the police because whatever we are protesting against does affect them as well," said Patrick Ochieng, one of some 500 protesters.

"We are under firm instructions from our seniors not to allow anybody anywhere near Ukunda for the purposes of protesting against the WTO meeting," said local police chief Richard Masinde.

Many poor countries have warned that they'll walk out of the WTO conference if the cotton and sugar subsidies are not cut.

Rwanda's Trade Minister Manasseh Nshuti said African countries wanted concrete plans this time, and not statements of intent.