Iraqis protested today in Baghdad at the breakdown in law and order since US-led forces overthrew Saddam Hussein, and Iraqi policemen volunteered to help the occupying forces end looting and anarchy.
Holding a banner that read "We want a new government as soon as possible to ensure security and peace", about 100 Iraqis, many of them students, protested outside Baghdad's central Palestine hotel, where most foreign journalists are based.
"We want to cooperate with the new Iraqi government and American troops to keep peace and security," said Mr Dhargham Adnan, a 25-year-old student from Baghdad university.
Violence and looting have swept Iraq as Saddam's iron rule crumbled this week after 24 years. Aid officials say badly needed humanitarian aid could be delayed unless US-led forces step in to prevent a slide to anarchy.
Mr Adnan said US troops did not appear to be doing anything to stop the looting of most public buildings in the capital. "They try just to protect the oil companies and the oil ministry and everything else is destroyed. They don't do anything, they just watch," he said.
Mr Haidir Shawk, a 58-year-old engineer, urged US soldiers to act to impose order. "The Americans replaced the regime and security is part of their responsibility," he said.
At one point the crowd outside the Palestine approached US troops, waving their hands in the air, but they were moved back. Meanwhile, several former Iraqi policemen spoke to US officers at the Palestine hotel to volunteer their services.
"We volunteered to maintain the security of the city," said Brigadier Mohammed al-Bandr, a retired policeman who said he ran a police station in western Baghdad until 1996 when he was forced to retire by Saddam's government.
"We appeal for police patrols to resume their work. The Americans have welcomed our move and they said they want to cooperate with us."
Another retired officer, Brigadier Sadeq Azawi, said he also hoped to persuade policemen to return to work.