Edinburgh has been the venue for war protests in the past

The u-turn came following reassurances from Stop the War Coalition organisers to the Lothian and Borders force.

Edinburgh councillors ruled to give permission for the event, which will take place on the same day as a Make Poverty History march on 2 July.

Council leader Donald Anderson said it was vital that the democratic right to protest was protected.

In a report to councillors, he said people should be allowed to protest safely and peacefully in Edinburgh over issues relating the G8 summit at Gleneagles.

But he emphasised that the public have to be properly protected.

'Good sense'

Councillor Anderson said his personal view was that the Stop the War event should be allowed, because even in the event of associated disruption, people were entitled to make their feelings known.

The Make Poverty History rally is expected to attract up to 200,000 people and Councillor Anderson said arrangements for the march, and other G8 related events, were progressing well.

With safety paramount, he said, excellent relationships had been established between the council, Lothian and Borders Police and the demonstration's organisers.

Edinburgh is the first city in the history of the G8 to actively involve itself in discussions with groups in order to aid safe demonstrations Donald Anderson Council leader

Police had originally objected to Stop the War Coalition plans to hold a rally on the same day as the anti-poverty march.

However a force spokesman said on Friday: "We had written to Stop the War Coalition rally organisers outlining our concerns about their plans.

"We have now withdrawn our objections following reassurances from them that their rally on Saturday will be later than the Make Poverty History march."

The council has now asked the coalition to make a formal application to hold its rally on Bruntsfield Links on 2 July and a march on the evening of 3 July, centred on Princes Street and Calton Hill.

'Unique approach'

Coalition spokesman Chris Nineham hailed the turnaround as a "victory for freedom of speech" and "good sense".

He added: "There were clearly moves afoot to try and stop any mention of the war in Iraq taking place during the protest on the big day of protest."

Councillor Anderson said he was pleased with the communication between the city and demonstrators.

"Edinburgh is the first city in the history of the G8 to actively involve itself in discussions with groups in order to aid safe demonstrations.

"This unique approach should help the city manage the many thousands of people who want to share this important occasion with us," he said.