Hundreds of people have marched along Brazil's famed Ipanema Beach to protest against Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to the South American state.

Protestors, wearing all white and mainly representing Jewish, human rights and gay groups, urged Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to call off his talks with the Iranian leader, who is due to arrive in Brazil on Monday.

"We are not against Iranian society, but we are against the president, who has denied the holocaust and backs religious persecution," a spokesman for a Jewish group told RIA Novosti.

Organizers said not less than 1,500 people attended Sunday's demonstration. Police put the figure at 300.

Ahmadinejad, who will be accompanied by an Iranian business delegation, was originally due to visit Brazil at the start of June, but his trip was delayed over preparations for the June 12 elections.

RIO DE JANEIRO, November 23 (RIA Novosti)