Participants in the parade set out under strong police escort from the city's Trg Zrtava Fasizma square to the central Trg Bana Jelacica square, and from there walked to the Zrinjevac park where an entertainment programme was organised.

Participants in the pride parade were carrying balloons, rainbow flags and banners with anti-homophobic messages.

The parade was supported by Croatian actor Rade Serbedzija and Gender Equality Ombudswoman Gordana Lukac Koritnik, who said that the level of homophobia in Croatia was still too high and expressed hope that this would change.

Meanwhile, around 100 members of the Croatian Pure Party of Rights (HCSP) youth organisation rallied in the Trg Bana Josipa Jelacica square for a protest against the pride parade.

They told reporters that they were protesting against the lifestyle of the gay community and its mocking family, marriage, tradition and religion.

Marko Jurcic of the Zagreb Pride organising committee told reporters that today's parade was the biggest one so far, and that 500-800 people took part in it.

Participants in the Zagreb Pride event at Zrinjevac read out letters of support sent by President Ivo Josipovic and Deputy Prime Minister Slobodan Uzelac.

According to police reports, some 500 people took part in the Zagreb Pride parade.

The police arrested two 17-year-old boys and a 21-year-old for disturbing the peace by shouting insults and defying police orders. One of the underage boys was arrested also for trying to throw an ashtray on participants in the parade.