Demonstrators stage mass 'die-in'

The protest marked the second anniversary of an anti-war march

Dozens of anti-war protesters calling for British troops to be withdrawn from Iraq have staged a mass "die-in" outside Parliament.

Activists waving banners spilled into the road and brief scuffles broke out as police tried to move them back to the central area of Parliament Square.

The event organised by the Stop the War Coalition marks the second anniversary of a 1,000,000-strong anti-war march.

Similar protests were held in Birmingham, Plymouth and Canterbury.

Lindsey German, the convenor of the Stop the War Coalition, said: "Our die-in was held to symbolise the tens of thousands who have died in Iraq since the war began.

"We think it is significant that America and Britain don't count the number of Iraqi dead, but they do count the number of their troops who have died."

Police said the protest ended peacefully but one man was arrested for threatening behaviour and assaulting an officer.

The coalition is planning another national demonstration in London on 19 March.