Iran holds anti-Israel rallies

TEHRAN, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Anti-Israel demonstrations were held Friday on al-Quds Day in some Muslim countries, with the Iranian government claiming millions participated there.

Al-Quds is the Arabic name for Jerusalem. Using the last day of Ramadan to support the Palestinians was begun in 1979 by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, leader of the Iranian Revolution.

In Pakistan the day turned violent when at least 59 people were killed by a bombing at a rally in Quetta, CNN reported. The Taliban, which opposes the Shiite Islam practiced in Iran, claimed responsibility.

The Fars News Agency said large demonstrations were held around Iran with marchers carrying signs opposing Israel and the United States.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave a speech at Tehran University that was broadcast around the country, al-Jazeera reported. He called the peace talks that began this week in Washington "stillborn and doomed."

Mehdi Karroubi, who ran against Ahmadinejad in the last presidential election and has become a focus of opposition, was kept from joining any demonstrations. The Saham news agency said members of the Revolutionary Guard blockaded him in his home.

About 20,000 people were expected at an al-Quds rally in Bahrain, Gulf News said.