The protest, one of several in recent weeks, was organised by the opposition Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) and the participants carried banners stating "Not in our name", "Give peace a chance" and "Why did you deceive the people?"

"We do not support a dictator, but we do not believe that peace and democracy can be imposed through violence. We do not believe that violence and war can put down terrorism," BSP leader Sergueï Stanichev said.

The protestors, among them members of Bulgaria's Arabic community, lit candles and observed a minute of silence for those who have died in the two-week-old war.

The socialist party is planning to hold more anti-war protests in Bulgaria and a protest concert was scheduled for Sunday.

The government's support for the war has proved very unpopular with the population, a few months ahead of municipal elections.

The PSB has only 129 of the 240 seats in parliament but a Gallup poll published in late March showed that it was the most popular party among voters.

Another survey showed that 71 percent of the population do not believe the government should have given its backing to the US-led invasion of Iraq.

Bulgaria is allowing US refueling aircraft to use an airbase on the Black Sea coast, and has decided to send 97 nuclear, biological and chemical defense experts to countries bordering Iraq if needed.

SPACE.WIRE