Iraq Christians protest at deaths

Baghdad, 01 March-(ANA)-Hundreds of Iraqi Christians have taken part in protests calling for government action after a spate of killings.

At least eight Christians have been killed in the past two weeks in the volatile northern city of Mosul.

The killings prompted an appeal by Pope Benedict on Sunday for Iraqi authorities to protect vulnerable religious minorities.

The UN says more than 680 Christian families have fled Mosul since the recent attacks.

Sunday's protests took place in the town of Hamdaniyah, 35km (22 miles) east of Mosul, and also in the capital, Baghdad.

Marchers in Hamdaniyah, many carrying olive branches, were led by priests including the second-most-senior Chaldean bishop, Shlemon Warduni.

"The government has done nothing so far," he said, calling on the US, UN and EU to "defend the rights of Christians in Mosul". (ANA)

FA/ANA/01 March 2010-----