- TEHRAN (Reuters) -- Tens
of thousands of Iranians took part in a state-sponsored rally yesterday
to demand US-led forces leave Iraq.
-
- Shi'ite Muslim Iran has voiced growing opposition to
the occupation of its western neighbour in recent days with senior government
and religious figures incensed by the presence of US military forces in
the holy cities of Najaf and Kerbala.
-
- Chanting "Death to America! Death to Britain!",
the crowd burned the US flag at Tehran's central Enqelab square.
-
- "We will not tolerate the occupation of Shi'ite
Iraqi holy sites," said an angry protester who was burning an Uncle
Sam effigy.
-
- The demonstration was organised by a state body which
plans and arranges most major rallies in the Islamic Republic. Many of
those present were government employees or members of various security
organisations such as the Revolutionary Guards.
-
- State radio said similar demonstrations were held in
the cities of Isfahan, Qom and Mashhad.
-
- As the main rally began to wind down, several hundred
demonstrators gathered outside the British embassy in Tehran, chanting
slogans calling for it to be closed, witnesses said.
-
- The embassy, which was well-guarded by police, typically
bears the brunt of Iranian anger against US foreign policies due to the
absence of a US embassy in Iran. Washington severed diplomatic ties with
Iran in 1980.
-
- On Sunday, about 200 student demonstrators briefly clashed
with police and pelted stones at the embassy building. Supreme leader Ayatollah
Ali Khamenei has called for US forces to leave Iraq and has condemned US
forces for their actions in Shi'ite holy cities.
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