London  - Police arrested 48 people Saturday night in Manchester during a rally by an English nationalist group and counter demonstrations.

Authorities estimated about 700 supporters of the English Defence League protested what they called radical Islam and Islamic law. Some participants were described as making Nazi salutes.

Some 1,400 counter demonstrators marched in protest of the rally, accusing the English Defence League of bigotry and fascism.

Saturday's confrontation was the latest rally by the group that has sparked clashes in the last several weeks. (dpa)