Protests erupt as European parliament meets

Protest took the center stage at the formal opening session of the European Parliament after the May elections which set the scene for a more fractured parliament.

Strasbourg:At the formal opening session of the European Parliament on Tuesday, legislators from Britain's Brexit party staged a protest. They turned their back when a jazz ensemble started playing the EU's anthem, while several lawmakers refused to stand.

The protest is not only related to Brexit but also against the decision to deny Catalan separatist Carles Puigdemont taking his seat and a defence of the German ship captain who is being held in Italy in a standoff over migrant rights.

Later, few lawmakers from Britain's Liberal Democrats were seen wearing yellow tee-shirts with 'Stop Brexit' written on them.

After the formal opening, normal proceedings resumed.

Tuesday marked the first day in the five-year session of the legislature following the May elections which set the scene for a more fractured parliament.