Thousands of people staged protests outside Prime Minister Tony Blair?s residence during the weekend to demand decisive action against the violence in Darfur, holding up a 7-foot hourglass filled with artificial blood.

Protests were also held in the US, Israel and other countries on what campaigners designated a global day of action.

Protesters in London handed a letter to Gareth Thomas, a government minister with responsibility for international development, calling for the quick deployment of a strong peacekeeping force in Sudan?s western region where a four-year war has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced more than 2.5 million.

The letter, addressed to Blair, urged the Prime Minister ?to use your influence to push the international community to call for action.?

?Time is running out for the people of Darfur, and we urge you to keep the pressure on the government of Sudan until there is an effective peacekeeping force on the ground protecting civilians,? the letter said.

Protesters carried signs saying ?time is up? and held small hourglasses, along with the giant one. Organizers said 3,500 people attended the rally. Police did not immediately have an estimate of the turnout.