Kuwaitis young and old and from across the country's political spectrum turned out en masse in a rally organised by the Lawyers' Association.

Many waved their national flag and called for the "liberation" of the Iraqi people and an end to Saddam's rule.

"Many claim to be brothers but when needed they are few," read one banner while another said "the freedom of the Iraqis is our duty as Arabs".

Nineteen-year-old Nauf al-Matrood told AFP she had turned up to support "my government and Kuwait and to say that we want to free the Iraqi people from Saddam.

"We think this is the right way. Other Arabs say Kuwait is a bad country and supports Americans, but Americans supported us when we needed them," she said in reference to the 1991 Gulf War to liberate Kuwait after its occupation by Iraq.

At the centre of the demonstration in Kuwait City, young Kuwaitis waved a 30-meter (yard) long flag while nationalistic speeches blared out of speakers.

The demonstrators applauded and cheered while women ululated throughout the speeches which expressed uncompromising support for their country and the ruling Emir Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah.

While the rest of the Arab League has condemned the US-led campaign against Iraq, Kuwait has made little secret of its desire to see the back of Saddam.

SPACE.WIRE