Thousands protest Israeli military action
Thousands of people have joined demonstrations around the UK to protest the Israeli military action in Lebanon.
Rallies took place in London and other major cities organised by the main Muslim groups and the Stop The War Coalition.
In London police estimated that about 7,000 people began a march from Whitehall through the centre of the West End, past the United States Embassy and on to Hyde Park.
Figures at the front of the protest included leaders of organisations such as the Muslim Association of Britain and anti-war campaigners like Respect MP George Galloway and writer Tariq Ali.
The vast majority of demonstrators, which included men, women and children, shouted slogans such as "Peace for Lebanon" while carrying banners and a Lebanese national flag.
However a handful of more boisterous protestors chanted "Hezbollah" and "Down down with Israel".
Among the people marching was Alex Pereira, the cousin of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes, who was shot dead by police officers at Stockwell tube station a year ago.
He was joined by the two brothers arrested by police following a controversial raid on their house in Forest Gate, east London, earlier this year.
The 10-day offensive has mostly been fought by air and naval forces, though Israeli soldiers have conducted limited operations near the border to target Hezbollah guerrillas and their outposts.
A spokesman for the protests said: "Israel's war in Gaza and Lebanon is escalating into an international crisis which could soon engulf the whole region.
"The promise by (President George) Bush and (Prime Minister Tony) Blair in the lead up to the Iraq war that their wars would bring freedom and democracy to the Middle East and peace to Palestine, have yet again been shown to be lies, just as the anti-war movement has consistently said they were."
Demonstrations were also expected in Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Kirkcaldy, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York.
A rally will be held in Kenton, Middlesex on Sunday in support of Israel's "right to defend itself", the Board of Deputies of British Jews said.
Henry Grunwald, President of the board, said: "At a time when the situation in the Middle East is extremely precarious, we would like to send a message of support to the people of Israel."
