Hundreds march in Muslim peace protest held in the German city of Cologne

Protesters carried placards with slogans including "Together against terror" and "Hatred makes the earth hell", as the demonstration grew to over 1,000 participants.

Marchers held banners including one that said: "Love for all, hatred for none," and another reading: "A Muslim protects lives and does not take them".

The organisers of the "Not With Us" march were expecting several thousand protesters to take part.

However the country's biggest Islamic association had refused to take part in the march.

The Turkish-Islamic Union argued it would send the wrong signal by suggesting that international terrorism is mainly a Muslim problem.

It also said Muslims observing the Ramadan fast couldn't be expected to march for hours in summer temperatures.

That stance drew criticism from the government, which welcomed the march.

Agencies contributed to this report.