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| By: Associated Press |
| Published: August 8, 2006 |
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About two dozen Muslim activists burned an Israeli flag in a noisy protest Tuesday, demanding a halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon and withdrawal of Israeli troops.
A few policemen stood close by but allowed the brief protest to go on in front of a building housing the Israeli Embassy in Manila's financial district, Makati. The protest ended without incident.
As the protesters shouted "Allahu Akbar" -- "God is great" -- a Muslim activist set an Israeli flag on fire on a road. They brandished placards, including one that read: "Israel, butcher of children."
Protest leader Tom del Monte said the rally was part of the Filipino Muslim community's expression of outrage over the "killings of civilians, children and women in Lebanon."
The protesters demanded an immediate cease-fire and the unconditional withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon.
The predominantly Roman Catholic Philippines has a minority Muslim population, mostly in its impoverished southern Mindanao region.
Meanwhile, about 445 Filipinos, mostly workers who fled Lebanon, arrived in Manila from the Syrian capital of Damascus on a flight chartered by the International Organization for Migration, officials said.
The arrival was delayed by two days after Israeli forces bombed roads and bridges north of Beirut last Friday, prompting IOM volunteers to find alternative escape routes, officials said.
Nearly 3,000 Filipinos have left Lebanon since fighting between Israel and Hezbollah militants erupted last month.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered all of the estimated 30,000 Filipinos in Lebanon, mostly domestic helpers, evacuated because of the rapidly deteriorating security situation. |
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