The authorities in Brno, South Moravia, have banned two Saturday protest rallies against a gay pride march through the town.

Roman Burian, spokesman for the Brno-stred district, said the law only permits the first announced rally, which was the LGBT pride march.

Disagreement with the march was to be voiced by the National Party (NS) and the civic group National Renewal Action 99.

"The march's goal is nothing but pressure on the majority. The disgusting pressure aims to make society accept adoption of children by homosexual couples," the NS said in its statement.

Meanwhile, Czech President Vaclav Klaus has neither signed nor vetoed an amendment regulating conditions for concluding marriage or registered partnership by foreigners, so the law will take effect.

His secretary Ladislav Jakl said the President did now want to directly sign an amendment that would lead to the raising of same sex couples' partnership to the position close to marriage.

Klaus vetoed the bill on same sex partnership two years ago, but the lower house outvoted his veto by the narrowest possible majority. This time, he did not veto the bill.

The amendment will connect the law on registered partnership of same-sex couples, passed in 2006, with other laws related to it, such as the laws on identity cards, birth registries and aid in material need.