Kathmandu: Thousands of irate agitators set Nepal's biggest mosque ablaze, destroyed offices of job recruitment agencies and clashed with policemen to protest the gruesome killing of 12 Nepalese labourers in Iraq.

The protestors took to the streets, disrupting traffic and shouting slogans against the killings, before attacking the mosque and destroying more than a dozen employment agencies as police fired tear gas in an unsuccessful attempt to disperse the mob.

"We want revenge," the demonstrators shouted as they stormed the Jama Masjid, located in the centre of the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu and near the Narayanhity Royal Palace.

They broke windows and set fire to carpets, furniture and parts of the mosque, which was empty at that time.

Riot police used batons to push the angry protestors back from the mosque and eventually sealed it.

In parts of the capital, protestors blamed the Government for not doing enough to secure the release of the 12 Nepalese workers who were killed by Iraqi kidnappers yesterday (Aug 31, 2004).

The demonstrators clashed with police as they burnt motor tires in different parts of Kathmandu, blocked roads, and broke signboards and set fire to electrical equipment and furniture of offices belonging to manpower agencies that send workers abroad.

A mob also ransacked the office of Qatar Airlines in the capital, reports said.