Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, March 21, 2003
Saddam Says Iraqi Army Will not Surrender
"The Iraqi people and their armed forces are ready to resist any attack, despite US-British enemy propaganda to try to weaken their morale," Saddam was quoted by state television as saying on Friday.
President Saddam Hussein said on Friday that the Iraqi army will not surrender.
"The Iraqi people and their armed forces are ready to resist any attack, despite US-British enemy propaganda to try to weaken their morale," Saddam was quoted by state television as saying.
"A curse on anyone who says the Iraqi army and people would joyfully welcome your aggressiveness and the forces under your orders and rejoice," he said in remarks to US and British leaders, which were read out on his behalf.
Saddam's remarks came at a time when convoys of US 7th cavalry, supported by low-fly helicopters, have been thrusting deep into southern Iraqi desert toward the capital Baghdad since early Friday morning.
Despite mounting international opposition, the United States launched its war against Iraq at 0530 a.m. (0230 GMT) on Thursday, in a bid to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
The offensive, the first preemptive strike in the US history, kicked off about 90 minutes after the expiration of an ultimatum issued by US President George W. Bush for Saddam to leave the country or face war.
The United States has accused Iraq of hiding and secretly developing banned weapons as well as having linkage with the al-Qaeda terror network, and vowed to disarm Iraq by force if necessary. Iraq strongly denies the US allegation.