WHITE House aides were so worried about Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s G20 meeting running long that they sent First Lady Melania Trump in to try to break it up, it has been revealed.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told reporters that after initially disagreeing on Russia’s meddling in the US election, the American and Russian leaders had a very positive meeting that stretched way past its scheduled half-hour length.

The two presidents had such a “positive chemistry” that once they started talking “neither one of the them wanted to stop”, Mr Tillerson said.

Fearing that Mr Trump would be late for his next appointment, the official concert at the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, White House aides had to get creative.

So, when the meeting reached the one-hour mark, they sent in First Lady Melania Trump to see her husband and “get him out”, Mr Tillerson said.

“Clearly she failed,” he said, because the gabfest lasted for another hour and 15 minutes.

Mrs Trump was stuck inside her accommodation in Hamburg for much of Friday due to violent protests outside the venue.

She finally appeared at the official concert on Friday evening with Mr Trump after having been holed up in the Senate Guest House.

She was due to go on a river cruise hosted by Chancellor Angela Merkel’s husband but her spokesman said “we have not received the all-clear from police to leave the residence.”

Mrs Trump tweeted that she hoped people “stayed safe” as police urgently requested back up due to “many crimes” being committed in the city.

Thinking of those hurt in #Hamburg protests. Hope everyone stay safe! #G20 — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) July 7, 2017

The huge summit has been marred by violent protests that have virtually shut down parts of the city. On Friday morning President Trump was forced to take a detour after a sit-in protest blocked his motorcade.

Hamburg police said a helicopter was nearly struck by a flare set off by protesters. Another pilot received eye injuries after a laser was directed at them.

Meanwhile Hamburg’s police department said 11 people were badly injured and taken to hospital after falling off a wall during a confrontation with police.

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Clashes are expected to continue over the weekend. So far 70 people have been arrested and more than 100 police injured, with cars, bins and pallets set on fire.

More than 100,000 protesters are expected to attend the event over the weekend. On Friday the spouse group, led by Chancellor Merkel’s husband was forced to rearrange their plans due to protests, with some online hailing it as a success the US First Lady had been forced to remain at home.

Residents tweeted pictures of cars in flames. Elsewhere “Black Bloc” protesters could be seen marching down the streets.

This has nothing to go with protesting against Trump, Erdogan, Putin or May. #G20 what have you done to my beautiful #Hamburg ? pic.twitter.com/sYVfDUMSZa — Inga Geach (@ingageach) July 7, 2017

BREAKING VIDEO: After an eventful morning, Black Bloc protesters take to the streets to protest G20 and Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/wGxp03U2Cu — TheAnonJournal (@TheAnonJournal) July 7, 2017

It follows a violent night on Thursday where police used water cannons and tear gas after around 1000 anarchists from the far-left Black Bloc refused to remove their face coverings.

Protesters threw rocks and bottles and Hamburg police said they were “appalled” at what had happened.

The cars of a tyre belonging to a member of the Canadian delegation were slashed while windows at the consulate of Mongolia were smashed on Thursday night.