Squat demolition called off after four nights of rioting in Barcelona

Rioters hurled bottles and stones at police barricades, burnt bins and broke windows during the protests. Banks have also been attacked and the excavator used to demolish the Can Vies building set on fire.

A riot police holds up his riot equipment during a protest against the eviction of social squatters (AFP)

Baton-wielding riot police charged protesters, fired foam bullets across the barricades and attempted to disperse the crowd using a high-pitched horn.

The violent disturbances were blamed on a small group of troublemakers but the protest has won support from across Spain and peaceful demonstrations to show solidarity have been planned in other cities this weekend.

"These protests are not just about the eviction. The eviction was just one more blow after the crisis," a Can Vies representative said.

"The people are fed up of taking blows and in the end they explode."

The abandoned property was occupied in 1997 by left-wing activists who used it to host concerts, training courses and other community activities in the rundown area of the Catalan capital.

But the transport authority which owns the property wants to redevelop the area and turn it into a park.

Police forcibly cleared the house on Monday following a court order issued after negotiations broke down between the city and the squatters.

After an emergency meeting Barcelona city council said it would attempt new dialogue with neighbourhood leaders to reach a peaceful accord.

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Squat demolition called off after four nights of rioting in Barcelona