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London march urges end to Lebanon war

LONDON (Reuters) - Tens of thousands marched through London on Saturday to demand a halt to the Lebanon war and protest against the British government's failure to call for an immediate ceasefire.
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A protestor carries a box of dismembered doll body parts painted red to represent the children killed in Lebanon during a demonstration organised by Stop the War Coalition in London August 5, 2006. Thousands marched through London to demand a halt to the Lebanon war on Saturday as the British government tried to appease critics who have attacked it for failing to call for an immediate ceasefire. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor

Waving flags and banners, protesters booed and yelled "Ceasefire now!" and "Shame on you" as they passed the entrance to Downing Street, where British Prime Minister Tony Blair lives.

A pile of children's shoes was left at a nearby war memorial to symbolize children's lives lost in the 25-day-old war between Israel and Hizbollah guerrillas.

Demonstrators delivered a petition, which organizers said had been signed by 30,000 people, to Blair's office, urging the government to call for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire.

"I have not been on a demonstration for 40 years. That is how much I consider this is important to be here today," Trevor Sutton, a retired 66-year-old man, said.

"Anyone with any form of conscience must come and show their support for Lebanon."

Organizers said 60,000 people marched while police put the number at 20,000. Police said they arrested 18 people for disorderly behavior or blocking roads.

Blair's government has come under fire at home for following U.S. President George W. Bush's lead and refusing to call for an immediate halt to the fighting, which has killed at least 734 people in Lebanon and 78 Israelis.

Soon after the march, news broke that the United States and France had agreed on a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that Blair said could lead to a halt in fighting within days.

GOVERNMENT TRIES TO PLACATE CRITICS

Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton, speaking for the government, had tried to placate critics by saying Blair was working to end the conflict as soon as possible.

"The prime minister has made it very clear that the present situation simply cannot continue," Hutton told BBC radio.

At least three legislators from Blair's own Labour Party spoke at a rally after the march, criticizing the government's response to the war and calling for the British parliament to return from its summer break to discuss the crisis.

"I bring a message for Tony Blair. You bring shame upon this country," said Labour member of parliament John McDonnell, a left-winger who has said he will challenge for the leadership of the party when Blair steps down.

Blair has said he will not stand at the next election expected in 2009. His popularity has plunged recently and his stance on the Lebanon crisis has further weakened his authority, potentially hastening his departure from office.

Blair delayed his summer holiday in search of a diplomatic solution in Lebanon. He has defended his refusal to call for an immediate ceasefire by saying that hostilities must be halted on both sides and a ceasefire must be part of an overall plan.

(Additional reporting by Peter Griffiths)
 
 

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