From the International Desk
Published 3/27/2003 7:30 AM

SANAA, Yemen, March 27 (UPI) -- Thousands of Yemeni protesters took to the streets of the capital, Sanaa, on Thursday answering the call of religious leaders to denounce the U.S.-British war against Iraq. But the demonstrators were prevented from approaching the U.S. embassy, security sources said.

The protesters gathered at the city's central Liberation Square calling on Arab leaders to take firm anti-war stances reflecting the will of Arab peoples.

"Death to America and Israel. Victory for Arabs," and "No to U.S.-Zionist terrorism", chanted the enthusiastic crowd.

They described the war as a "new crusade" against Muslims and burned effigies of U.S. President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Riot police and internal security forces thwarted an attempt by the demonstrators to march on the U.S. embassy located two kilometers from the square.

Yemen's religious leaders also issued a statement Thursday stressing the need to impose economic and political sanctions against the U.S. and Israel and the countries collaborating with them.

It called for "declaring war on every aggressor threatening the Arab people and violating any part of the land of Islam and Muslims."

It also urged Arab media to expose U.S. and Zionist schemes and aspirations in the region.

The clerics encouraged the people to stage more protests in solidarity with the Palestinian and Iraqi people, and demanded the withdrawal of all U.S. warships from Arab territorial waters as well as boycotting U.S. products.

Yemeni police cracked down on a massive demonstration Friday, killing two protesters, wounding 23 others and rounding up tens of people, including opposition leaders.

Meanwhile in Jordan, official statistics said Thursday that 67 anti-war demonstrations were staged in various parts of Jordan since the U.S.-British attacks against Iraq were first waged eight days ago.