UK protests over Mid East attacks

Banners in London demanded a ceasefire in Lebanon

Pro and anti-Israel protests have been held in the UK over the continuing crisis in the Middle East.

Comedian Alexei Sayle and actor Simon Callow were among speakers in London where Israeli attacks were condemned.

Ex-Labour MP Tony Benn said Israel had committed a "war crime ... with the support of" the UK and US governments over the deaths of Lebanese civilians.

A pro-Israeli rally called "Yes to Peace, No to Terror" was also held in Albert Square, Manchester.

Before the Manchester demonstration, the father of one of the Israeli soldiers captured by Hezbollah fighters appealed for his son's safe return.

Shlomo Goldwasser said he was desperate for a "sign of life" following his 31-year-old son Ehud's disappearance.

Mr Benn told crowds at Trafalgar Square: "As we talk, women and children are being killed in the Lebanon by bombs sold and given by the US and passed through British airports with the support of the British government.

"What we are witnessing is a war crime committed by Israel with the support of the American and the British governments - that is the truth."

Attack 'planned'

He claimed the US and Israel had been planning the attack on Lebanon for "months if not years" as part of what he claimed was a long-term strategy to rebuild the Middle East on their terms.

Mr Benn also called for Parliament to be resumed so the Middle East conflict could be debated.

Other speakers read out poems and first-hand experiences from Lebanon. The demonstration in London was organised by several groups, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), CND, Stop the War Coalition and the British Muslim Initiative.

It was peaceful apart from a scuffle between two protesters.

Betty Hunter, the general secretary of the PSC, appealed for calm.

"I know feeling is running extremely high," she said. "But we are all on the same side so please calm down."

Soldier's father

Speaking in Manchester, Ehud Goldwasser's father, Shlomo, said: "Nineteen days ago he was abducted by Hezbollah, from them we haven't heard even the slightest information."

Ehud's capture along with another reservist Eldad Regev triggered the fighting between Israeli and Hezbollah militants.

Protesters gathered at the Israel Solidarity Rally carried banners with slogans including "Yes to peace. No to Terror" and "Israel you are in our hearts".

Meanwhile, hundreds of Lebanese staged a violent demonstration which left the UN headquarters in Beirut ransacked following the deadliest Israeli strike of the conflict so far.

More than 54 civilians, at least 34 of them children, were killed in a direct hit on a house in Qana.

Lebanon's health minister now says about 750 people, mainly civilians, have been killed by Israeli action in Lebanon since their operations began 19 days ago.

A total of 51 Israelis, many of them civilians, have also died in the conflict.