'Saddam statement' calls for holy war

Saddam Hussein tonight called for a jihad - a holy war - against the Allied invasion of Iraq.

"The aggression that the aggressors are carrying out against the stronghold of faith is an aggression on the religion, the wealth, the honour and the soul and an aggression on the land of Islam," according to a statement read on national television by his information minister.

"Therefore, Jihad is a duty in confronting them," Saddam added the statement. "Those who are martyred will be rewarded in heaven. Seize the opportunity, my brothers."

The statement was issued as US forces were reported within 50 miles of Baghdad and as B-52 bombers were pounding Republican Guard positions north of Karbala.

Saddam has delivered two televised addresses since the attack began March 20. It was unclear why he did not appear tonight, contrary to the expectations of many television news channels, and instead had the statement read by Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf.

"Strike at them, fight them," Saddam's statement said. "They are aggressors, evil, accursed by God. You shall be victorious and they shall be vanquished."

"Fight them everywhere the way you are fighting them today," the brief statement said. "And don't give them a chance to catch their breath until they declare it and withdraw from the lands of the Muslims, defeated and cursed in this life and the after life."