Anti-war demonstrations were staged Saturday in central Athens and Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, marking world action day against war, as well as the fourth anniversary of the war in Iraq.

A rally was held in central downtown of Athens, which was followed by a march to the U.S. embassy in the city. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Stop the wars and occupations" and " Foreign armies must be removed from the Middle East," and also called for money to be channeled to education and health instead of armaments.

A concert was also staged, with anti-war songs, while brief greetings to the demonstrators were addressed by representatives of the participating organizations and movements.

Athens News Agency reported that in Thessaloniki, the protestors condemned the "invasion and occupation" of Iraq, demanding "an end to the war and withdrawal of the occupation forces."

Source: Xinhua