ANKARA, Sept 6: Hundreds of angry youths clashed with riot police in Turkey’s capital Ankara on Wednesday to protest parliament’s decision to send soldiers to Lebanon.

In a second day of protests, masked youths threw pavement stones at police and shouted “USA out, this country is ours” and “We will not be Israel’s soldiers”. Riot police responded by firing teargas and detaining 35 youths.

No one was reported injured in the protests near government offices where Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan was holding talks with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Youths waving flags also blocked off roads and threw stones at offices of the ruling AK Party.

Many in Muslim but secular Turkey are concerned the United Nations force, due to enforce an Israel-Hizbollah truce, would mainly serve Israeli and U.S. interests.

The main opposition parties have accused the government of being a U.S. and Israeli stooge. Turkey has close ties with both countries.

Turkey’s parliament on Tuesday approved a government request to send hundreds of soldiers to join a U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

Mr Annan told a joint news conference with Mr Erdogan that Turkey’s decision to contribute to the mission was crucial given its role as a regional player. Annan said he expected about 1,000 troops from NATO member Turkey.—Reuters