Thousands join anti-war protest

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Students, pensioners and peace activists joined a march through Manchester to deliver another anti-war message to the Government.

Leaders of the Stop The War Coalition and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament held up a giant banner which read "troops out" at the head of the march, which organisers said was joined by at least 5,000 people.

Scores of police officers, some on horseback, were on duty as the protesters, some chanting: "Troops out" and others singing: "We all live in a terrorist regime" walked towards the conference centre.

A letter was handed in to a Labour Party official explaining that the demonstration was in protest at the Government's foreign policy which organisers said merely followed that of the US administration.

The letter read: "We urge you to deliver on your commitment to withdraw all British troops from the illegal and catastrophic occupation of Iraq. We also urge you to recognise that the occupation of Afghanistan has involved Britain in an unwinnable and devastating war in a country where the population is clearly opposed to our presence."

Lindsey German, convener of the coalition which signed the letter, said: "Seven years after the war in Iraq a number of flash points have flared up in the Middle East, South Asia and now the Caucuses.

"Britain's role in the world has become dangerous and to criticise Russia for taking military action in Georgia is breathtakingly hypocritical."

Kate Hudson, chairwoman of CND, said: "We are here to tell the Government that we want a foreign policy based on peace not war. We want our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan and we are appalled at the prospect of the further spread of war.

"Most people around the world want peace but our Government plans war policies. Change is needed."