BAGHDAD/ Aswat al-Iraq: Security sources did not exclude using force to open the highway connecting Iraq with Jordan after five days of closure by protesters from Anbar, Ninewa and Salahal-Din, as reported by London based Al-Hayat daily.

A military source told the newspaper, published today, that the Commander of the Armed Forces (Premier Nouri al-Maliki) did not issue to use force to open the highway, but expected that "this situation will not last for long".

The source added that the security forces are ready to open the highway if peaceful talks failed.

Thousands are sitting-in along the international highway that connects Iraq with Jordan and Syria.

The demonstrators called for releasing women detainees and ending the neglect practiced against the Sunni sect and demanding Premier Maliki to negotiate with them to end this question.

Samarra and Mosul demonstrated yesterday in support of Anbar people, while delegations from Diala, Tikrit, Baghdad and some southern cities came to Fallujah in support of Anbar people.

Sunni Mufti Mehdi al-Sumaida'i announced yesterday that he is trying to pacify the situation and he talked with premier Maliki, where he got "positive solutions".