Thousands take to streets to demand US withdrawal

TENS of thousands of Iraqis demonstrated in Baghdad yesterday to demand the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.

The demonstrators yelled anti-American slogans after Friday prayers and called for an Islamic state to replace Saddam’s toppled government.

The protests on the Muslim holy day came as eight states met in Riyadh to discuss ties with the future authorities in Baghdad and offer verbal support for Syria, which Washington has repeatedly accused of harbouring members of Saddam’s government.