Violence erupted in the streets of Berlin today as thousands of anti-immigration protesters clashed with police and counter-demonstrators.

Pro-migration activists took to the streets of the German capital to shout down the yells of the anti-migrant demonstrators protesting against Chancellor Angela Merkel's open-door refugee policy.

Furious Germans condemned Ms Merkel, waving German flags and chanting 'Merkel must go' and 'Traitor to the people'.

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'Merkel must go': An anti-immigration protester waves a red card during a protest rally against Chancellor Merkel's open-door migration policy in Berlin

Police clashed with protesters and counter-demonstrators in the German capital today, as marches representing both sides of the migration debate filled the streets

Around 5,000 people turned out for the anti-migration march, organised by the eurosceptic, populist-nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party under the banner 'Asylum has its limits - red card for Merkel'.

'We are demonstrating against the asylum chaos caused by Angela Merkel,' AfD member and European Parliament deputy Beatrix von Storch said at the rally.

Five counter-protests in support of migrants saw a turn-out of around 800 people, despite organisers' hopes that several thousand would attend.

Activists protesting the anti-immigration protest found themselves targeted by police wielding pepper spray, as they attempted to break up the simultaneous demonstrations.

More than 40 people were arrested and one officer was lightly wounded after the violence broke out.

Around 5,000 people turned out for the anti-migration march, organised by the eurosceptic, populist-nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party

Five counter-protests in support of migrants saw a turn-out of around 800 people, despite organisers' hopes that several thousand would attend

More than 40 people were arrested and one officer was lightly wounded after the violence broke out

Police drag away a protester as people blocked as street in the German capital during today's demonstrations

Police broke up a sit-in by counter-demonstrators, with some 40 people arrested during today's protests

Scuffles erupted after police broke up a sit-in by counter-demonstrators, some of whom tried to break through the barriers separating them from the anti-migrant march.

Officers also intervened to stop angry exchanges between rival demonstrators.

More than 1,100 police were necessary in the capital to prevent trouble between the rival demonstrators.

Ms Merkel has faced a growing backlash over her welcoming stance towards refugees fleeing war and persecution as Germany, Europe's top economy, faces a record influx of up to one million asylum-seekers this year.

Meanwhile, Germany's vice chancellor said today that he considers a proposal made, then shelved, by the interior minister to give many Syrians a restricted asylum status to be finished.

The definitive close to the suggestion indicates that he doesn't want to set off a new round of political infighting over it.

A counter-protester opposing the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany party is cared for by companions after being pepper-sprayed by police

A counter-demonstrator tries to see through his watering eyes after being hit by pepper spray by police

Anti-immigration protesters waved banners condemning Ms Merkel and her open-door migration policy

A supporter of the right-wing Alternative for Germany party makes an obscene gesture as he demonstrates against the German government's policy for migrants in Berlin

Riot police secure the train station in Berlin, as supports of the AfD party fill the streets of the German capital

Supporters of the far-right AfD party wave a banner reading, 'Germany needs a second November 89' at the rally in Berlin

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said on Friday that many Syrians should get 'subsidiary protection,' which comes with only a one-year renewable residence permit and wouldn't allow them to bring relatives to Germany for two years.

Hours later, he shelved the idea, saying things will remain unchanged for now.

Members of Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel's centre-left Social Democrats slammed the conservative de Maiziere.

Gabriel told ZDF television the plan appeared to have been produced at the Interior Ministry 'without consultation, and it is smart that it was taken back again.'

He added that de Maiziere 'took back the measure. And I think the measure is finished with that'.

De Maiziere's idea was that Syrians who don't present evidence of individual persecution but are fleeing the civil war in general should be given 'subsidiary protection,' rather than full asylum status that comes with a three-year residence permit and allows recipients to bring family members.

An anti-migration protester waves a banner reading 'Merkel must go' at the rally. Ms Merkel has faced a growing backlash over her welcoming stance towards refugees fleeing war and persecution

More than 1,100 police were necessary in the capital to prevent trouble between the rival demonstrators

Germany, as Europe's top economy, faces a record influx of up to one million asylum-seekers this year

A supporter of the AfD party waves a placard showing Ms Merkel dressed in the uniform of the former socialist youth movement 'Free German Youth

De Maiziere announced his idea only a day after leaders of Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition ended weeks of argument over how to process more quickly people who have little hope of asylum, such as those from Balkan countries.

They agreed to set up new processing centres, and also said people with 'subsidiary protection' shouldn't be able to bring relatives for two years - something that was thought to apply only to a few people.

Still, applause from the Christian Social Union - the tough-talking Bavarian branch of Merkel's conservative bloc - suggested that the issue may fester.

'Nothing is off the table for the CSU,' general secretary Andreas Scheuer told ZDF. 'Thomas de Maiziere is right when he says that Syrian civil war refugees should get a different a different status.'

Anti-migration protesters wave banners reading 'The queen of the tractor: As Merkel brings millions into the country' and 'Foreign in their own country: As we lose our home'

Police stood ready for action as the demonstration filled the streets of the German capital today

As well as waving red cards for Merkel, many protesters waved German flags and carried bunches of flowers

Demonstrators at the front of the anti-migrant march carry a banner reader 'Asylum needs its limits'

Germany saw 758,000 migrants arrive between January and October. Syrians are the biggest single group arriving.

Last month, the founder of the EDL addressed a 40,000-strong crowd in Dresden, to celebrate the first anniversary of the anti-refugee group Pegida.

Tommy Robinson, the 32-year-old founder of the far-right group, told protesters: 'Do not let Germany be dragged back to chaos and destruction.

'All of your progress is now threatened. Your current chancellor, Angela Merkel, seems to be handing out the birth right of German citizens like she is handing out candy to children.'

He continued: 'I encourage you people to refuse the shame game. Refuse to feel guilty. Germany is not obliged to save the refugee crisis.

'This current immigration is an invasion. Our borders are being overrun. There is little or no control. A country that cannot control its borders will soon not be a country.'

Counter-protesters in support of Ms Merkel and refugees gather to protest against the anti-migrant march

One counter-demonstrators waves a banned welcoming refugees to Germany, which is set to welcome more than a million this year