The leader of the Greek Orthodox church led a prayer vigil for peace Wednesday as labor unions and anti-globalization activists announced plans for mass anti-war protests around Greece.
In a related incident, about 40 protesters tried to stage sit-in at the British consulate in the northern port city of Thessaloniki. The protesters dispersed peacefully after hanging an anti-war banner from the building, police said.
The government also denied reports that the United States would not allow the French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to dock at a U.S. Navy base at Souda Bay on the island of Crete.
Government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the aircraft carrier would dock at Souda Bay on March 21. The ship has been on training exercises in the eastern Mediterranean.
Police also announced they were further bolstering security measures at airports, train stations, subways, power stations and water works around the country. The government on Tuesday put police and military units around the country on alert.
Church leader Archbishop Christodoulos held a vigil in Athens' Petraki monastery and asked Greeks to pray for peace.
"Now that preventing the war in Iraq is no longer humanly possible, the church calls on all Orthodox to pray," Christodoulos said.
Labor unions and anti-globalization activists called for a three-hour general strike on Friday and a march to the U.S. embassy in Athens. The unions also called on students to hold sit-ins at schools around the country.