Some 10,000 Malaysians including opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim rallied Friday outside the US embassy where the Israeli flag was burned in protest over the Gaza aid flotilla raid.

Protesters from both the ruling party and the opposition alliance yelled slogans and waved banners after marching from a Kuala Lumpur mosque, virtually closing down the main thoroughfare the embassy is situated on.

NONE Some demonstrators burned the Israeli flag while others brandished posters that said "Destroy America, Destroy Israel - "Long Live Islam" and "Allah will destroy you Israel".

Many in the crowd wore red-and-white checked Palestinian headscarves.

"I am very angry. We are against Zionists and their allies," said one protester, Khairul Ismail.

Anwar entered the embassy to deliver a letter signed by leaders of his Pakatan Rakyat alliance - which includes the conservative Islamic party PAS - as well as 20 civil society groups.

US slammed over 'weak response'

The letter called on US President Barack Obama to condemn the violence against the flotilla and for Israel to end a blockade of Gaza.

It called for an independent inquiry into the incident, and urged the United States to suspend military and economic aid to Israel.

"We are appalled and deeply disappointed by your weak and inadequate response on the matter," the letter said.

Israel's commando assault Monday on the Gaza aid flotilla, which left nine people dead, has triggered outrage in Malaysia, which does not recognise the Jewish state.

Rachel Corrie to go ahead

Another vessel, the Rachel Corrie which is sponsored by a Malaysian foundation, is set to arrive off Gaza on Saturday with Malaysian and Irish activists and journalists aboard.

NONE " Rachel Corrie is 150 miles away from the Gaza coast. They are moving ahead with caution.

"Please wish them the best," the Perdana Global Peace Organisation said on Twitter.

On Thursday, one of the Malaysians on board, Shamsul Akmar, welcomed the release of 12 Malaysians who had been on the lead Turkish vessel where the violence broke out.

"Hope we don't have to go through the same ordeal but that choice is not ours.

"We are prepared to face whatever situation that awaits us and we are determined to go ahead and carry on with this mission," he said through the foundation.

"Hopefully with international pressure and backing from the various governments we will be able to go further and be given safe passage to Gaza," he added. "Everyone on board is in high spirits".

- AFP