Tens of thousands of demonstrators loyal to Moqtada al-Sadr, the anti-American, Shia cleric, marched through the centre of Baghdad today to demand the withdrawal of US forces six years after they captured the capital.

An effigy of George Bush, who launched the invasion in March 2003, was symbolically burnt in Firdous Square, where six years ago Marines famously toppled the statue of Saddam Hussein.

At that time, Iraq’s majority Shia population who had been oppressed by the dictator welcomed the US military. Sentiment is very different today thanks to the subsequent years of war and chaos, which only began to subside 18 months ago.

“No, no American,” chanted one group of about 15 young men as they pranced in the street as part of the noisy but peaceful demonstration.

Protestors brandishing pictures of the bearded Hojatoleslam al-Sadr, thought to be living in Iran, mingled with those carrying the red, white and black flag of Iraq, while statements such as, “Get out occupier” and, “No, no for the occupation” were displayed on buses ferrying people from other parts of the country.

Despite the angry shouts, the tone of speeches delivered by clerics to the crowd was deliberately softer than at past rallies during Mr Bush’s time in office.

Organisers wanted to make an overture to Barack Obama, who ran for the presidency as a staunch critic of the invasion and has pledged to pull out troops.

“We see some change in Mr Obama's language,” said Salah al-Obeidi, a spokesman for the Sadr movement. “It seems to us that Mr Obama does not want to use Iraq as a base to fight al-Qaeda.”

Some of the protesters called on the new American President to stick to his pledge to withdraw all combat forces by August 2010 and the remainder of his troops by the end of the following year. “If he is honest about his promise he should keep it,” said Ammar Abdulzahra, a 30-year-old teacher.

Others, however, wanted the US military out now. “I say to Mr Obama, we are Iraqis and we can solve our problems among ourselves. The occupying forces must leave Iraq immediately,” said Abu Alla, a 60-year-old retiree.

Security at the demonstration was tight following a spate of bombings against Shia targets in the past few days. Police blocked off streets leading to the square, mindful of the threat of car bombs. US soldiers were also on standby to provide backup if needed.

Hojatoleslam al-Sadr had called for a “march of the millions” but it appeared the crowd numbered no more than 30,000 before protesters dispersed late in the morning.

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