Turks clash with police after Lebanon troops vote

ANKARA, Sep 6 (Reuters) Hundreds of angry youths today clashed with riot police in Turkey's capital Ankara to protest parliament's decision to send soldiers to Lebanon.

In a second day of protests, masked youths threw pavement stones at police and shouted ''US out, this country is ours'' and ''We will not be Israel's soldiers''. Riot police responded by firing teargas and detaining dozens of youths.

No one was reported injured in the protests near government offices where Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan was holding talks with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Many in Muslim but secular Turkey are concerned the United Nations force, due to enforce an Israel-Hizbollah truce, would mainly serve Israeli and US interests.

Turkey's parliament yesterday approved a government request to send hundreds of soldiers to join a UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon.

Annan told a joint news conference with Erdogan that Turkey's decision to contribute to mission was crucial given its role as a regional player.

Erdogan dismissed the protests, saying Turks would grow to understand the need to contribute to peace in the volatile region.

REUTERS SBA KP2054