Thousands rally in Baghdad

BAGHDAD -Thousands of Iraqis rallied in Baghdad yesterday vowing to cut the hands off any aggressors and denouncing US threats to invade the country, which Washington accuses of hiding weapons of mass destruction.

Witnesses estimated that up to 10,000 people took part in the demonstration - organised by the ruling Baath Party in a suburb - making it the biggest since the US began massing troops.

Angry protesters carrying portraits of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and waving rifles in the air burned Israeli and American flags and effigies of US President George W. Bush.

"We will cut the hands off anyone who comes near us," the crowd chanted.

Senior Baath member Abdulaziz al-Najim said: "In spite of America, Saddam will stay forever. We say to Bush that the Iraqi people from north to south are ready to foil any attempt to encroach upon Iraq.

"The people are armed and trained and ready to fight in every inch of Iraq, and victory will be with us, God willing."

Atyaf al-Ubaidi, another Baath member, added: "It is a message to all Arab people to stand with Iraq ... We will prevail."

- REUTERS

Herald feature: Iraq