Thousands of Iraqis marched in the streets of Baghdad today to denounce US threats to topple President Saddam Hussein.
US President George W. Bush vowed last month to use all tools available to bring down Saddam, who the United States says is developing weapons of mass destruction.
"In spite of America, Saddam will stay forever," chanted the crowd, who defied summer temperatures of nearly 50 degrees to take part in a demonstration organised by members of the Iraqi parliament.
Carrying portraits of Saddam and placards declaring their loyalty to him, they burnt effigies of Mr Bush and the American flag.
"We are here to protest against American plans to attack Iraq and to declare support for our beloved leader...and express our readiness to defend our country," MP Mohammad al-Adhami said.
"Bush and his aides will be disgraced. No one can pollute the earth of this nation," said Maedah al-Zubeidi, a 55-year-old housewife who said she had volunteered for military training to fight any attack.
Later today, the UN Security Council reviews Iraq's invitation for technical talks in Baghdad with UN weapons experts.
Iraq insists that chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix go to Baghdad to discuss all pending issues on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, key to suspending UN sanctions imposed when Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990, sparking the Gulf War.
The invitation has been seen as a hint Baghdad might agree to the resumption of UN weapons inspections after a nearly four-year gap, but the US insists that makes no difference to its wish for "regime change" in the oil-producing state.