Jordanians hold candlelit vigil to protest over war

Hundreds of Jordanians held a candlelit vigil in the affluent Shmeissani quarter of Amman last night to protest against war.

They called for peace in Iraq and Palestine. On Saturday, more than 5,000 Jordanians from all political persuasions - communists to Islamists - demonstrated against war, joining millions of other people round the world to stage a day of protest.

The crowd brandished placards condemning President Bush, and bearing the slogan, "Make peace, not war" and "No to Genocide."

A two-year old in a baby carriage carried a placard reading, "Mummy why are they killing us?" His mother, Mrs Khadoud Jundi, said: "The Americans claim they are fighting terrorism but isn't what they plan to do an act of terrorism?"

At the same time, 7,000 people attended a rally in the city of Irbid. Protesters called on Arabs and Muslims to unite against US plans to take control of Iraq's oil.