The mainly Muslim protesters, waving Palestinian flags and chanting anti-Israel slogans, marched to the US Embassy in downtown Kuala Lumpur from a nearby mosque after Friday prayers.

They called on the US to use its influence to stop Israel's military offensive on Gaza, which has left more than 750 people dead - at least half of them civilians, according to Gaza health officials. Thirteen Israelis have died.

Israel has defended its two-week operation, saying it wants to stop rocket attacks from Hamas-controlled Gaza into Israeli territory.

'The killing continues. ... We are urging the American government to demand that Israel withdraw from Gaza,' said Mr Adnan Mohamad Tahir, an activist.

The protesters, who burned two Israeli flags and effigies of Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, dispersed after an hour.

The United States abstained from a UN Security Council resolution passed on Thursday that called for a cease-fire.

Malaysia's government, which has no diplomatic ties with Israel, has condemned Israel's ground offensive as a 'an act of total war'. On Thursday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi called for international sanctions on Israel.

In Hong Kong, several hundred people outside a mosque chanted slogans and held placards reading, 'Stop the Israeli Attacks on Gaza' and 'Stop Killing Children and Innocent'. -- AP

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