In pictures: Iraq protests

Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad on Friday after President Saddam Hussein asked them to defend the nation from attack. His speech marked the 12th anniversary of the start of the Gulf War.

The mood among protesters was one of defiance and anger

The Iraqi leader said his people would repulse any attack

But his televised address was not the centre of everyone's attention

... and outside the capital, UN weapons inspectors carried on as normal

This man is decapitating a doll representing US President George Bush

"The whole nation will rise," promised Saddam Hussein - children included