POLICE USED BATONS TO BREAK UP A MOSLEM FESTIVAL IN ADEN ON FRIDAY. THE FESTIVAL HAD BEEN ORDERLY AND PEACEFUL UNTIL SEVERAL PEOPLE INTERFERED WITH MOCK COFFINS BEING CARRIED IN A RELIGIOUS PROCESSION. THEN, POLICE INTERVENED.

THOUSANDS OF ADEN MOSLEMS TURNED OUT UNDER THE HOT SUN FOR THE FESTIVAL. A ROADSIDE STALL SELLING FISH AND CHIPS -- THAT TRADITIONAL ENGLISH DISH -- DID A ROARING TRADE AS PEOPLE WAITED FOR THE PROCESSION TO BEGIN.

TO THE THROB OF DRUMS, DANCING MOSLEMS, AND THE BLARE OF A BRASS BAND, THE PROCESSION HEADED OFF ALONG THE WATERFRONT TO THE TOMB OF THE TERRITORY'S LATE MOSLEM LEADER.

MOCK COFFINS WERE CARRIED IN THE PROCESSION. BUT AT THE SITE OF THE TOMB, THEIR DRAPES WERE PULLED DOWN AND THE COFFINS SMASHED. POLICE MOVED IN SWINGING BATONS. THE CROWD DISPERSED PEACEFULLY.