Iraqi President Saddam Hussein told his people Baghdad would be defended, in a message read out on state television on Friday by one of his ministers. "The enemy is trying to enter Baghdad," Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf said, quoting a statement he said was from Saddam. "Let every family in Baghdad be assured...our faithful men will confront the enemy." Most of Baghdad, without power, was probably not able to watch the short broadcast but it was likely to be repeated on radio.


Iraqi Troops May Regroup in Baghdad, Says Hoon

Iraqi Republican Guards might have retreated into Baghdad to regroup after U.S. invasion troops stormed the city's international airport, British Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon said on Friday.

Speaking to BBC Radio, Hoon said the capture of the airport would represent a "huge psychological blow" to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein but cautioned against predicting the imminent demise of the Iraqi government.

"We've got to allow for the possibility that they (the Republican Guard) have retreated into the city and are preparing their defenses," Hoon said.

"There has been some serious resistance, that may well occur again in and around Baghdad."

Asked how significant the seizure of the airport would be, Hoon said: "It's a huge psychological blow to the regime."

"It demonstrates to the regime, and we hope as well to the people of Baghdad, that we are there.

"We know they've been told by elements of the regime, the leadership, that there are no American invasion forces, invasion forces, anywhere near Baghdad. They will be able to see for themselves soon how untrue that is." He described the assault on Baghdad as "a significant military challenge, which is why I and others have been warning not to anticipate too quickly the end of the regime."

U.S. invasion forces said earlier they had seized control of the airport as part of the first ground attack on Iraq's capital in the 16-day-old war.

Military analysts say Saddam International Airport is a key objective for U.S. invasion forces, who can use it as a forward operating base in any battle for the sprawling city of five million people.

The advance puts the capital within range of ground-based rockets and guns brought by U.S. invasion troops from Kuwait.

PHOTO CAPTION

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein appears chairing a meeting of Ba'ath party officials, in this undated image taken from video, shown Thursday, April 3, 2003, on Iraqi television. Iraqi TV commentary said the meeting was held to report to Saddam the success achieved so far by Iraqi forces in the war. (AP Photo/Iraqi TV via APTN)