Thousands of Iraqi Sunni and Shia Muslims put aside sectarian differences on Friday to demonstrate against the US-led occupation of Iraq a year after the war began which toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.
Iraqi clerics have sought to ease tensions after a series of attacks on Shia shrines and Sunni mosques, urging Iraqis to stand together and appealing to their sense of nationalism.
"No, no to America. No, no to Saddam. Yes, yes to Islam," chanted thousands of young Shia demonstrators as they joined Sunni worshippers at the end of Friday prayers. "We will not sell this country to the foreigner," the crowds chanted.
Bomb attacks killed at least 181 people in Baghdad and the holy city of Kerbala this month during the Shia religious ceremonies and raised fears of sectarian war.
Sunni cleric Sheikh Ahmad al-Sameria told demonstrators foreigners would not succeed in sowing discord among them.
"Your unity weakens the occupiers," he said. "May Allah protect our country from chaos and rid us of this nightmare and give us victory over the infidels."
Protesters at the rally expressed mounting frustration over Washington's perceived failure to deliver on promises of prosperity and reconstruction to their war-scarred country.
Shia cleric Seyed Hazem al-Araji also assailed the occupation.
"What has the occupation done? It has brought chaos," he said. "A year has passed in occupation and they thought that we would celebrate with joy. No, we received you with rejection and we renew our rejection of you."
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