Thousands of people across Australia today protested against the military aggression o­n Iraq, especially against the Australian government's involvement in what they described as an unjust war.

In Melbourne, an estimated 20,000 students, unionists, religious groups and workers met at the State Library of Victoria before walking through the city towards Victoria Barracks.

According to a Bernama report, the protestors chanted "George Bush go to hell, we won't fight a war for Shell" and displayed banners which read "No blood for oil" and "We are all terrorists".

In Sydney, George Street was closed to traffic for the Walk Against War Coalition-led rally which attracted about 10,000 people.

Anti-war rallies with huge crowds also marched in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and in provincial cities. More anti-war rallies are being planned for tomorrow and at the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Social Justice for Peace and several former Australian armed forces chiefs have issued strong statements condemning the US-led war and Australia's needless participation.

Peace network coordinator Nic Maclellan said today's rallies around the country was the whole of Australia saying no to war.

The Islamic Council of Victoria president Bilel Cleland said Australian troops were being used for the first time in history in an war against the wishes of the UN and against a country that had never threatened Australia.

"The invasion of Iraq has set back international relations 60 years," he told the Melbourne rally.

'Day of shame'

In a related development, anti-war campaigners in the United Kingdom are urging people to stop work and protest against the war which is being waged o­n Iraq and branded today as a "day of shame".

According to a BBC report, The Stop the War Coalition predicts thousands will participate in today's demonstrations. It is calling o­n people to gather at the Parliament Square in Westminster to show their support.

The coalition's spokesperson Andrew Burgin said: "The war started today is an outrage against world peace, the population of Iraq, international law and democracy in Britain.

"It is launched without the support of the British people. This is a day of shame for Britain," he added.

Burgin said Iraq has been dragged into a war at the instigation of US administration that has shown contempt for world opinion.

"We call upon the people of Britain to act today in support of peace by walking out from work, school or college to join protest meetings and peace demonstrations in their community against this unjust war.

Civilian casualties

Meanwhile, aid agencies urged the UK government to take "all possible precautions" to avoid civilian casualties during the conflict.

The directors of Christian Aid, Cafod, Oxfam, Save the Children and Action Aid, also called for a "massive" increase in government funding to help the UN deal with a possible humanitarian crisis".

Speaking o­n behalf of the agencies, Christian Aid director Daleep Mukarji said: "The warring parties have obligations under international law to avoid civilian casualties and to ensure civilians have safe access to food, shelter, water and medical attention. These obligations must be met.

"Furthermore, we are also calling o­n the UK Government to massively scale up its funding to the UN, in the hope that a humanitarian disaster can be avoided."

The government has already promised an initial 10 million for humanitarian relief efforts in Iraq.

The agencies also called for a new UN resolution to establish alternative food distribution systems in Iraq if the current system collapses during the conflict.

The UN is predicting that up to three million Iraqis may leave their homes but remain within Iraqi borders, while a further 600,000 may seek refuge beyond the borders.