London: A convoy of anti-war activists including dozens of Britons will leave for Baghdad in January to act as human shields protecting strategic sites in Iraq in the event of a United States-led war.

The convoy to Baghdad is being organised by former US marine Kenneth Nichols, who served in the first Gulf war in 1991 and won a combat medal but has now become a vociferous opponent of another Gulf conflict.

According to a report in 'The Observer' on December 29, British protesters are also heading for Iraq ahead of any Anglo-American bombing.

According to a report in the 'Sunday Times', 22-year old Matt Barr, an art student from Fishbourne, West Sussex, will travel to Iraq via Jordan in January as part of an American-led "peace team" that aims to deter war by highlighting the potential for civilian suffering.

Barr, the report said, has received permission and travel documents from the Iraqi government to stay in the country where he will "safeguard" civilian installations such as electricity and water-treatment plants, which may be hit in any allied bombing campaign. He is expected to remain there for at least three months, the report said.

Barr may not be the only Briton who will volunteer to protect Iraq.

George Galloway, the Labour Member of Parliament (MP) who has travelled several times to Baghdad and met Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, said on December 28 night that more than 30 people had e-mailed his office saying they were willing to be "human shields" in Iraq.

Galloway said he would not be personally organising any peace teams to Iraq, but added, "There are hundreds who would want to go."

PTI