RIYADH, Jan 5: More than 100,000 people from across the world have registered themselves as volunteers to be used as “human shields” against a possible US-led invasion of Iraq, an Iraqi newspaper said in its Sunday issue.

The Al Qadissiyah quoted a former Jordanian MP campaigning for volunteers as saying that over 100,000 people had already come forward.

Meanwhile, a group of French “peace volunteers” are expected to arrive in Baghdad soon at the initiative of the Franco-Iraqi Friendship Association.