The police presence in downtown Dhaka appeared to have increased Saturday after security was further beefed up following violent protests Friday that left scores of people injured.

A group calling itself the Mritunjayi Squad or "Immortal Squad" in a statement sent to AFP said 763 Bangladeshis had registered with them to fight against coalition forces in Iraq.

"They will reach Iraq this month," the statement signed by the group's convenor Selim Sikder said without giving details.

Earlier this week, Palestine Repatriated Muktijoddah Sangshad (PRMS) -- "Freedom Fighters Council" -- told AFP that at least 5,000 of its members were ready to join forces with the Iraqis to fight the US-led invasion.

Members of PRMS fought alongside Palestinians against Israel.

Witnesses said about 1,000 members of the Muktijoddha Sangshad representing veterans of Bangladesh's 1971 independence war against Pakistan, held a brief rally calling for an end to the Iraq war and later marched through the streets of Dhaka.

Several hundred street vendors also staged a noisy demonstration and burned effigies of US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Bangladesh, the world's third largest Muslim majority country, has repeatedly called for an end to the war and has seen almost daily anti-US and anti-war protests.

SPACE.WIRE