The Cyprus Stock Exchange, factories, banks, schools and public offices were all affected as civil servants and trade unions took part in the walkout from 11:00 am to 11:30 am local time (0800-0830 GMT).

School children left classrooms to demonstrate on streets against the war, some 2,000 gathered in front of the American embassy here and burnt a US flag.

And Workers gathered outside their work place to protest in the largest show of opposition to the US-led invasion since start of the war on Iraq.

The event involved the island's largest and most influential trade union federations, right-wing Sek and left-wing Peo plus the civil servants union Pasydy.

"Bombings and slaughter can not be accepted as a way of solving international problems and differences," said a Peo statement in support of the mass walkout.

The trade union movement says the war is having a negative impact on the Cypriot economy by triggering unemployment and higher inflation.

Cyprus was used as a field base for UN inspectors going into Iraq and a procurement centre for any equipment they needed. It is now playing a role as a UN relief coordination hub for getting essential aid to the Iraqi war zone.

SPACE.WIRE