THE United States is preparing for one of its largest military engagements since the Second World War. Britain, meanwhile, is expecting one of the biggest gatherings in London since VE Day.

The crowds that will assemble on Saturday will not be celebrating the end of one conflict, but mounting a protest against the start of another.

Organisers of the demonstration opposing war against Iraq say they are confident that at least 500,000 people will take part, and latest polls indicate no lack of support for the cause.

The first of a series of monthly opinion polls commissioned for The Times indicated yesterday that 86per cent of people believe that United Nations weapons inspectors should be given more time.

With Scotland Yard predicting that half a million demonstrators may descend on London, and the Met Office forecasting dry weather, the demonstration could be the largest since the White House announced its War on Terror 17 months ago.

The first seeds of the protest were sown at a meeting at the Friends’ Meeting House, opposite Euston Station, ten days after the September 11 attacks. It led to the formation of the Stop the War Coalition, whose supporters include Tariq Ali, Louise Christian, lawyer to the Paddington rail crash families, and George Galloway, the Labour MP for Glasgow Kelvin.

The Stop the War march has been organised by the coalition in conjunction with the Muslim Association of Britain, a five-year-old network offering spiritual and educational support, and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, which expects most of its 30,000 members to attend.

The association is predicting a degree of Muslim involvement never before seen at a British popular protest. Anas Altikriti, a member of its executive, said: “Over the last few years (British Muslims) have realised that they can’t afford to stay at home watching television and shaking their heads in disbelief. They have to come out and do something.”

The marchers will follow two routes, from Tottenham Court Road and the Thames Embankment, from noon, joining forces at Piccadilly Circus before winding their way to Hyde Park.

Tessa Jowell, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, had tried to ban the marchers from the park, arguing that it was a “health and safety issue” as a million feet would turn the park into a slippery quagmire. After being accused of attempting to sabotage the demonstration, Ms Jowell had to make a U-turn. A rally will now be held in the park, at which the speakers could include Mo Mowlam, Tony Benn, Ken Livingstone and Harold Pinter. The organisers said that celebrities expected to join the march included the Blur singer Damon Albarn, the actors John Hurt and Emma Thompson and Lord Rogers of Riverside, the architect.

A few political heavyweights have also signed up, including the Rev Jesse Jackson and Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader, who will march to express “broad concern” rather than outright opposition to war.

Trains have been chartered for demonstrators from Liverpool and Manchester, and 500 coaches have been hired to bring protesters from other towns and cities.

The involvement of the Muslim association and other Islamic groups has upset many members of the British Jewish community. Neville Nagler, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said that Scotland Yard had been asked to ensure that there is no anti-Jewish harassment. There will be 1,300 police officers on duty.

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