US President George W. Bush on Saturday reached into a throng of squabbling bodyguards and pulled a Secret Service agent away from Chilean security officers after they stopped the US agent from accompanying the president at a dinner.

Chilean security stopped several members of the president's Secret Service detail and a pushing and shoving match ensued. It occurred as Mr Bush was entering the Mapocho Station cultural centre for an official dinner of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit's 21 leaders.

Mr Bush was posing for pictures on the red carpet with his wife, Laura, and Chilean President Ricardo Lagos and his wife, Luisa Duran, when the president noticed the confrontation unfolding behind him.

He stepped away from them and reached into the quarreling crowd and hauled the lead Secret Service agent from Chilean security agents.

For a few seconds Mr Bush met resistance from the Chilean officers. Mr Bush was seen shaking his head and muttering under his breath as he walked away.

APEC's summit television showed the incident. The White House had little comment. "Chilean security tried to stop the president's Security Service from accompanying him. He told them they were with him, and the issue was resolved," White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan said.

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