A former CIA analyst has heckled US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld during a question-and-answer sesssion by accusing him of lying about Iraq prewar intelligence.
"Why did you lie to get us into a war that caused these kind of casualties and was not necessary?" asked Ray McGovern during the session.
"I did not lie," responded Mr Rumsfeld, who waved off security guards ready to remove Mr McGovern from the hall at the Southern Center for International Studies.
Three protesters were escorted away by security as each interrupted Mr Rumsfeld's speech by jumping up and shouting anti-war messages. Throughout the speech, a fourth protester stood in the middle of the room with his back to Mr Rumsfeld in silent protest. Officials reported no arrests.
Mr Rumsfeld also faced tough questions from a woman identifying herself as Patricia Roberts, who said her son was killed in Iraq. Ms Roberts said she is now raising her young grandson and asked whether the government could provide any help.
Mr Rumsfeld referred her to a website listing aid organisations.
With Iraq war support remaining low, it is not unusual for top Bush administration officials to encounter protests and hostile questions, but the outbursts Mr Rumsfeld confronted on Thursday seemed beyond the norm.
President Bush seldom faces such challenges. Demonstrators usually are kept far from him when he delivers public remarks.
AP