British actions spark protests in Basra

ABOUT 500 civilians and policemen, some waving pistols and AK-47s, rallied yesterday in the southern city of Basra and denounced “British aggression” following London’s decision to use force to free two of its soldiers being held by Iraqi police.

Attacks by insurgents continued in and around Baghdad, with a roadside bomb wounding two US soldiers.

The blast came a day after the death toll for US forces in Iraq rose to more than 1,900.