Anti-war protesters obstruct traffic

Around 400 people have halted traffic in London to protest against military action in Afghanistan.

Demonstrators marched to Whitehall where some sat down for two hours in the middle of the road.

Police diverted south-bound traffic and say the protest was peaceful with no arrests made.

The demonstrators from Justice Not Vengeance are demanding an end to the military campaign.

The group - which includes The Green Party, CND, Pax Christi and Campaign Against the Arms Trade - is calling for alternative means of combating terrorism, such as trying Osama bin Laden under international law.

Justice Not Vengeance spokesman Robin Oakley said: "The fact that people are prepared to risk arrest by obstructing traffic shows the strength of feeling."

Protest organiser Gabriel Carlyle said: "Unless the bombing stops and a massive aid effort is launched immediately thousands - if not hundreds of thousands - of people will certainly die."