Civilian Targets Hit by US Missiles: Iraqi Minister

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, March 22, 2003

Civilian Targets Hit by US Missiles: Iraqi Minister

Civilian targets were hit by missiles in US air raids on the Iraqi capital on Friday evening, Iraqi Information Minister Mohammad Said al-Sahaf said.

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Civilian targets were hit by missiles in US air raids on the Iraqi capital on Friday evening, Iraqi Information Minister Mohammad Said al-Sahaf said.

Speaking to reporters after the US bombardment, Sahaf said two palaces, both of them civilian targets, were among those hit in theair raids.

Sahaf also accompanied a number of local and foreign reporters on a tour of Al-Diafa (hospitality) Palace and Al-Zohour (flowers) Palace.

"The air raids targeted at civilian areas, not military ones, contradicting claims by US officials, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld," he said.

Al-Diafa Palace is a place where the Iraqi government hosts heads of state of foreign countries, Sahaf said, adding Al-Zohour Palace is a royal palace.

Al-Zohour Palace is a very important one from archaeological point of view, he said.

US forces fired about 320 missiles at Baghdad and surrounding areas during the "shock and awe operation" on Friday evening, al-Jazeera TV channel said.

Rear Admiral Matthew G. Moffit, commander of the Kitty Hawk battle group deployed in the Gulf, was quoted as saying "approximately 320 missiles have been fired at targets in and aroundBaghdad."

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.

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