Thousands of Iranians on Friday took to the street to protest against Israel and show support to the Palestinians' struggle for independence, the official IRNA news agency reported.

The demonstrators, chanting anti-Israel and anti-US slogans and holding banners, marched from different directions of the city toward Tehran University, a site which often hosts mass religious and political ceremonies.

High-ranking Iranian officials, including President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, took part in the demonstration.

Judiciary chief Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi addressed the rally that the Israeli government was "the outstanding example of state terrorism" and "Israel's existence is a threat not only to the Palestinian nation but also the entire Middle East region and the Muslim world."

Meanwhile, other Iranian cities, including the holy city of Qom, also witnessed similar rallies, IRNA said.

The demonstrations have lasted for two days since Ahmadinejad made anti-Israel remarks on Wednesday that Israel would be "wiped off the map" soon.

The international community immediately denounced Ahmadinejad's anti-Israel remarks.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Thursday said that Iran should be kicked out of the United Nations.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan also expressed on late Thursday his dismay on Ahmadinejad's words.

Source: Xinhua