February 2001 World Headlines

Tuesday, February 20, 2001 - Web posted at 9:23:00 AM GMT

Iraqis protest against US-British air raid

BAGHDAD - Thousands of Iraqis demonstrated in Baghdad for the second day running yesterday in protest at last week's US-British air strike near the capital.

Nearly 20,000 Iraqis staged the protest in Saddam township in Baghdad, burning US and Israeli flags and chanting slogans in support of President Saddam Hussein and denouncing the United States and its new president, George W. Bush.

Demonstrators at the rally, which like a 10,000-strong demonstration on Sunday was organised by the ruling Arab Baath Party, waved Iraqi and Palestinian flags, as well as posters of Saddam."

"We will not relinquish...Iraq and Saddam Hussein," they chanted, while others shouted "With soul and blood we redeem you Palestine," echoing their country's strong support for the nearly five-month Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation.

- Nampa - Reuters

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