NEW YORK, Feb 15: Shouting slogans “War is terrorism,” “No war for oil” tens of thousands of people demonstrated against the US push for war against Iraq near the United Nations headquarters here on Saturday.

According to estimates, some 100,000 people took trains, buses bicycles and taxis and gathered at UN’s Dag Hammarskjold Plaza and spilled into outlying streets snarling traffic in the Manhattan area.

Days ago New York courts refused to allow the organizers of anti-war rally to march past the UN headquarters citing security concerns.

The rally was addressed by South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Democratic presidential hopeful Rev Al Sharpton, peace activist Richie Haven and actress Susan Sarandon. More speakers were expected to follow as the rally goes on.

On Friday, the United States suffered an embarrassing blow when its campaign to muster support for a war against Iraq failed to win any new support at the UN Security Council and instead faced massive opposition from nations demanding more time for weapons inspections.

The Bush administration had hoped to capitalize on negative reports from weapons inspectors to press its case for quick military action. But the inspectors avoided harsh criticism, and the overwhelming majority of Security Council members pounced on their reports of improved Iraqi cooperation to call for fresh efforts to peacefully disarm Saddam Hussein.