Calm reported at Moscow's May Day rallies

Moscow -- May Day rally sites around Moscow were festive and few problems were reported, the Moscow police said Thursday.

Police estimated about 30,000 people attended rallies in the downtown area, said Novosti, the Russian information agency.

"The situation is calm, everything is proceeding according to plan," said police spokesman Viktor Biryukov. "Everyone is in a festive mood."

May 1 is Spring and Labor Day, a Russian national holiday.

Biryukov said the largest rally -- with about 23,000 participants -- took place at Tverskaya Square.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.