Filipino Muslims stage Afghanistan protest

Several hundred Muslims in the Philippines have burned US and British flags in protest at the bombing of Afghanistan.

Some have also expressed readiness to fight for Osama bin Laden.

Muslim traders have closed shops and stores in support of the anti-US protest in the southern city of Iligan.

Leftist and Muslim groups have staged a series of noisy but peaceful protests in Manila and a few cities in the southern region of Mindanao, home to the country's Muslim minority.

The predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines is fighting Muslim extremists in the south.

"I will go to Afghanistan if I'm needed. I will leave my wife and five children to Allah who will find food for them," said Haron Ali.

The 35-year-old shoemaker signed a list of Muslims in Mindanao volunteering to fight to defend bin Laden.

One placard read, "Jihad is the answer to US terrorism."

Soldiers and riot police stood by.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has said she fully supports the US-led campaign on terrorism and has allowed US aircraft to use Philippine ports and air space.