Hundreds Of Salvadorans Protest Troop Deployment To Iraq

SAN SALVADOR, Aug 16 (AFP) - Some 1,500 demonstrators protested Monday the planned deployment of new Salvadoran troops to Iraq and simultaneously celebrated Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's victory in a referendum on his rule.
Protestors held signs reading: "We want peace and security" and "No to sending Salvadoran troops to Iraq." Other signs said: "Long live Hugo Chavez" and "Chavez: Salvador supports you."
The protest included members of the leftist FMLN party, which introduced a resolution in parliament demanding that the government cancel its plan to send 380 new troops to Iraq on August 17 to replace soldiers already serving in the embattled country. The resolution was not adopted.
Venezuela's Chavez won a referendum held Sunday asking voters whether his mandate should be cut short.