A protest took place at the US Consulate on Monday morning, in advance of US attacks on the town of Falluja. A recent estimate of the heavy-handed approach in Iraq puts the death toll in Iraq at one hundred thousand since the start of the war. Further heavy casualties are expected now that the US election has finished and large-scale assaults can start.

The steps to the front door of the Consulate on Regent Terrace were covered in red paint to simulate the blood of thousands of Iraqi civilians, and walls were spray painted with slogans including "Stop the Attacks on Iraq".

Four protesters, all from Edinburgh, were arrested and are currently being held in Gayfield Sq and St Leonards police stations.

One activist said, "This protest today by a group of Edinburgh residents is to tell the Americans that their behaviour in Iraq is unacceptable. The destruction of lives and property is immense. Iraq needs a genuine plan towards justice and peace - not more violence and corruption."