The Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War said that opposition to war with Saddam Hussein's regime was growing around the globe.

The coalition, which is made up of religious, community and political groups, described its conference as a launch pad to mobilise a national demonstration.

Chairwoman Elinor McKenzie said: "Opposition to the drive to war is growing. It's heartening to know that in the US the peace movement is growing.

We have to expunge the idea that we're on an inexorable path to an inevitable war. We will stop this war Lloyd Quinan MSP

"It's time that we all linked hands around the world and demanded that the warmongers stop the march to war."

The coalition's conference at Glasgow's Woodside Hall also finalised for an anti-war rally due to take place in Glasgow on 15 February.

The march will coincide with demonstrations in 12 European capitals organised by the European Social Forum.

Scottish National Party MSP Lloyd Quinan insisted that war was not "inevitable".

Civilian deaths

He called on protesters to step up their fight.

He said: "We have to expunge the idea that we're on an inexorable path to an inevitable war. We will stop this war."

Mr Quinan warned that any war in Iraq would result in "an enormous number" of civilian deaths and lead to millions of people becoming refugees in the Middle East.

He said Tony Blair had "painted himself into a corner" over his support for President Bush and called on the campaigners to vote out pro-war candidates at the Scottish Parliament elections in May.