Anti-war march attracts thousands

It has been reported that more than 3,000 people attended

Thousands of people have taken part in an anti-war march in Edinburgh.

Demonstrators called on the UK government to exert pressure on Israel to immediately end its military operations in Lebanon and Gaza.

Police estimated that more than 3,000 people took part in the event which saw the closure of roads along the three-mile route.

The march, which was organised by the Edinburgh Stop the War Coalition, began from the Meadows on Saturday afternoon.

A delegation of marchers had intended to leave children's shoes and possessions at the steps of the US consulate.

That symbolic act was to be followed by a one minute silence.

'Unconditional ceasefire'

A closing rally took place at 1700 BST featuring a variety of speakers.

Labour's Glasgow Central MP Mohammad Sarwar, who has repeatedly called for a parliamentary recall at Westminster so MPs can debate the issue, and Glasgow-based human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar attended the event.

Speaking ahead of the march, Green MSP Mark Ballard said the Lebanese people, rather than President Bush, needed support from Britain.

Lothians MSP Mr Ballard said: "We in the Scottish Greens join the demands for an unconditional ceasefire now.

"And we demand that the UK Government makes that their official policy with immediate effect."

Mr Ballard said the Scottish Greens condemned terrorism, but said it could not be fought with "indiscriminate war".