BAGHDAD - Hundreds of Sunni Muslims protested after Friday prayers against the US forces' detention this week of a moderate political leader, while some imams in their sermons slammed a Baghdad security operation.
The protestors chanted anti-US slogans and waved Iraqi flags, Islamic Party banners and signs denouncing the seizure of party leader Mohsen Abdel Hamid and his three sons on Monday, calling it "American terrorism".
All four were later released.
"Go Home American Forces", another banner proclaimed, saying the troops had covered themselves in shame.
The US military admitted to having detained Hamid in what they said was a mistake. But the forces have yet to publish an apology or give the reason for their operation, during which the Sunni leader was taken hooded and handcuffed from his home.
A member of the Islamic Party's politburo, Sheikh Iyal al-Ezzi, lead the Friday prayer and slammed Operation Lightning, a continuing, US-backed, Iraqi government offensive against insurgents in the capital.
"During this operation they arrest our sons for the simple fact of being Sunnis," he charged, adding that the assault had "culminated with the agression against one of our symbols, Mohsen Abdel Hamid".
Ezzi warned Iraqi authorities not to sideline Sunnis and urged the country's ethnic and religious entities to unite.
Since the January election, Shiites have dominated the political arena to eclipse Sunnis who held power under deposed dictator Saddam Hussein.
06/03/2005 13:32 GMT