Three hours after the United States unleashed its first salvo o­n Iraq, President Saddam Hussein remained defiant and accused President George W Bush of committing crimes against humanity.

A Reuters report said the Iraqi leader, determined to prove that he had withstood the US "decapitation" strike o­n Baghdad, appeared o­n national television clad in a military uniform and took care to make a reference to today's date.

"To the great Iraqi people, the brave strugglers, to the heroic armed forces: with the prayers of dawn o­n March 20, 2003, the reckless criminal little Bush committed the crime that he has been threatening to commit against Iraq and humanity," said the 66-year-old president.

Pentagon officials had earlier said the initial strikes , which saw a volley of cruise missiles ( photo ) raining o­n Baghdad at 5.30am Iraqi time (10.30am Malaysian time), was aimed at eliminating Saddam and other senior leaders.

Small room, not palace

The Reuters report added that Saddam read from a notepad, wearing heavy black-framed spectacles, something he rarely does in public.

The international news agency added that it was not possible to say wether the broadcast was live but it appeared to be fresh.

It also noted that the president was seated in a small room, instead of the palace suites where he normally appeared for broadcasts.

'They will be defeated'

"We pledge to you in our name and in the name of our leadership and in the name of the Iraqi people and its heroic army, in the name of Iraq, its civilization and history, that we will fight the invaders.

"God willing, we will take them to the limit where they lose their patience and any hope to achieve what they have planned and what the Zionist criminals have pushed them to do.

"They will be defeated," said Saddam, who o­n Tuesday was given a 48-hour deadline by Bush to leave Iraq with his two sons.

Addressing US allies who have spoken out against the war, Saddam said: "Now that you have seen how the reckless Bush belittled your positions and views against the war and your calls for peace, he has committed his ugly crime."

He concluded his seven-minute speech, clips of which was also broadcasted live o­n CNN, by chanting "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Greatest):

"Allahu Akbar! Long live Iraq! Long live Palestine! Long live our glorious nation and long live those who seek peace!"

"Stupid, criminals"

Meanwhile, Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed Sahaf when asked to comment o­n US efforts to kill Iraqi leaders, replied: "They are stupid and will never succeed."

"This is a good proof that they are criminals and are believing in assassination and I think they should be condemned," he added.

"We will crush this aggression....Whoever wants to defend Iraq is welcome to join us," stressed the minister who was also wearing a military uniform.