Thousands protest against US missile strike in Pakistan

About 8,000 Islamic hard-liners today protested against the US missile strike that targeted al Qaida leaders in a Pakistani village, chanting their support for holy war and burning an effigy of US President George Bush.

Protesters marched from two mosques to the centre of the north-western city of Peshawar, chanting Death to America and Jihad (holy war) is our way.

Speakers criticised last Friday’s attack in a border village that killed 13 civilians and possibly several top al Qaida operatives.

Dost Mohammed, a leader from the opposition Islamic coalition that was organising similar demonstrations around Pakistan today, asked the crowd: “Are you ready for jihad against America?”

Hundreds of bearded protesters, most wearing white prayer caps, put their hands up.