Concerns over Iraq and Afghanistan are no excuse for terrorism, Scotland's Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told an anti-terrorism rally in Glasgow at the weekend.

About 1500 people attended the Scotland United Against Terror event in Glasgow's George Square.

It was organised by the Islamic community as a show of solidarity against the attacks on Glasgow airport last week and on the second anniversary of the London bombings.

Representatives from Strathclyde Police, the Church of Scotland and the Stop the War coalition were among those who addressed the crowd.

Ms Sturgeon won applause when she said that Islam was a religion of peace.

"Muslims in Scotland, like so many of the rest of us in Scotland, have grave concerns about what's happening in our world today.

"Concerns about Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine. The Scottish government shares those concerns.

"But we - all of us - believe that the way to effect change is through peaceful democratic politics. That is what we are here to say today."

As well as praising the emergency services, Ms Sturgeon also praised the members of the public who stepped in to put their lives at risk - including baggage handler John Smeaton.

She added: "As Scotland's health minister, I can't possibly endorse the campaign to buy John Smeaton a pint. But I do think the praise directed at him and all the others who helped last Saturday is thoroughly deserved."

Osama Saeed of the Muslim Community of Scotland said that Muslims were not turning a "blind eye" to terrorism. "Let us be clear, no-one, no-one wants to beat these terrorists more than the Muslim community."

Keir McKechnie of the Stop the War Coalition said the terrorist acts were "deplorable", but added that British foreign policy in Iraq and Afghanistan had made the country a target.