'Live Saddam broadcast' on Iraqi TV

Hours after the blast meant to kill him, Iraqi TV broadcast an address by President Saddam Hussein.

Experienced observers believed it was live; he mentioned the time at which the attacks were launched. They also felt that it was actually the president despite the continual rumours of his many "doubles".

He accused the United States of committing a "shameful crime" by attacking Iraq, urging his people to "draw your sword" against the enemy. Wearing a military uniform and reading from hand-written notes, he vowed that "Iraq will be victorious" against the US-led campaign.

"We promise you that Iraq, its leadership and its people will stand up to the evil invaders, and we will take them to such limits that they will lose their patience in achieving their plans, which are pushed by criminal Zionism," Saddam said.

"They will face a bitter defeat, God willing," he said. "You will be able to achieve glory and your despicable infidel enemies will be defatted."

The pre–dawn strike was targeting leadership figures, including Saddam himself, US officials said.

"This is added to the series of their shameful crime against Iraq and humanity," Saddam said, describing the U.S. president as 'little, evil Bush."

"Draw your sword and be not afraid," he urged the Iraqi people, before ending the speech by chanting, "Allahu akbar" or God is great, and saying, "Long live jihad and long live Palestine."