MOSCOW, Sept 7 (AFP) - Tens of thousands of people rallied on Tuesday in the centre of Moscow to demonstrate against terror in the wake of the school hostage-taking tragedy in Beslan.
The demonstration, supported by the mayor of Moscow and official social organizations, was expected by the authorities to attract some 100,000 people in front of Saint Basil`s Cathedral, one of the city`s most famous landmarks just outside the walls of the Kremlin.
"Russia Against Terror" were the words on a large banner put up by the local authorities in the colours of the Russian flag.
Many of the massive sea of people who turned out for the demonstration in front of the cathedral were brandishing banners, religious insignia, Russian flags, and images of Saint George slaying the dragon.
`Terror Is Worse Than Plague` `The Enemy Will Be Defeated` `The Victory Will Be Ours`, read some of the slogans on the banners.
Stirring Russian anthems were resounding around the scene of the rally, which was being held in wet weather amid strict security that required participants to gather two hours in advance and undergo airport-style security checks.
The site of the rally had been checked by sniffer dogs before being closed off. Several hundred police were on duty following the series of terror acts to have hit Russia over the past fortnight.
Valery, a pensioner with medals proudly pinned to his chest, summed up the patriotic atmosphere of the gathering. "How can you kill children and shoot them. I came because Russia was slapped in the face and we will not take it," he said.
"I came today because I love my country, I love children I love life. These people are animals but we are meeting today we will cry together and show them that good will win," said one woman, Alestina.
However the rally has already attracted some criticism for the press for being an officially-approved expression of protest rather than the spontaneous outpouring of grief seen in Spain after the March 11 attacks on Madrid.
"I would have preferred if the Russians reacted like the Spanish, who did`nt wait to be called out and went out onto the street altogether to say no to terror," said Elena Frantsuskaya, 48.
Russian state television had in previous days broadcast an emotional sequence of images of the hostage siege, calling on people to take part in the demonstration.