Former British prime minister Tony Blair has canceled a book signing due to take place in London on Wednesday because of the "inevitable hassle" of protests.
The announcement comes after an appearance in Dublin at the weekend at which four people were arrested after eggs and shoes were thrown at Mr Blair (57).
The items were thrown as he arrived to sign copies of A Journey at Eason on O'Connell Street in Dublin on Saturday and some of the 200 protesters clashed with police.
No injuries were reported and the missiles did not hit Mr Blair. The four men are due to appear in court in Dublin on September 30th.
Anti-war campaigners and the far-right British National Party said they would stage separate protests on Wednesday at the Waterstone's branch in Piccadilly in central London over Mr Blair's decision to join the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Announcing the decision in a statement today, Mr Blair said he would provide signed copies to the store for those who had planned to attend.
"However, I have decided not to go ahead with the signing as I don't want the public to be inconvenienced by the inevitable hassle caused by protesters," he said. "I know the Metropolitan Police would, as ever, have done a superb job in managing any disruption but I do not wish to impose an extra strain on police resources, simply for a book signing.
"I'm really sorry for those - as ever the majority - who would have come to have their books signed by me in person. I hope they understand."
Tight security was planned for the event. Waterstone's had said all bags and mobile phones would have to be checked in beforehand. Those attending had been told not to try to solicit any personal messages.
In his memoirs, Mr Blair - now an envoy for the Quartet of Middle East peacemakers, the United States, Russia, the EU and the United Nations - said he could have not have imagined what he called the "nightmare" that unfolded in Iraq.
He also echoed previous statements that the 2003 invasion was justified because Saddam Hussein posed a threat and could have developed weapons of mass destruction.
Speaking to media this morning, Mr Blair said the book was selling "fantastically well", although he is also facing an internet campaign which has been set up to try to disrupt sales. A group set up on the social networking site Facebook is calling for people to move copies into the "crime" section of bookstores.
Agencies