Manama, Bahrain  - Bahraini police on Thursday broke up a protest calling for a halt to the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Protesters set the US flag on fire before disbanding.

No immediate clarification was given as to why police dispersed this protest, after allowing almost daily protests on the Gulf island nation since the Israeli offensive began.

Protesters carried coffins with pictures of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak were also included in the displays, for what protesters called the leaders' role in supporting the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip.

The protesters also carried pictures of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, describing him as more 'manly' than the Arab leaders.

Some protesters dressed as resistance fighters and strapped themselves with fake bombs.

Young children taking part in the protest used their shoes to hit pictures of Olmert. Others defied the police presence by raising toy guns and fake Qassam rockets, chanting death to the United States and Israel. (dpa)