Thousands turn up for 'million' Iraq rally against US troops

Thousands rallied in Baghdad on Friday to demand that American troops leave the country, though their numbers fell short of the "million-man" march called for by an influential Shiite cleric.

The rally came amid heightened anti-US sentiment after a US drone strike earlier this month killed a top Iranian general in the Iraqi capital.

Since mid-morning, large crowds gathered on the Muslim day of prayers as loudspeakers blasted "No, no America!" at a central square in Baghdad.

A child held up a poster reading, "Death to America. Death to Israel."
"The formation of the new government is constitutionally long overdue, it is necessary for the various parties concerned to cooperate," al-Sistani said in a sermon delivered via a representative, "it is an important step toward resolving the current crisis."
"I am ready to fight against the Americans if Muqtada al-Sadr asks us."