WAR ON IRAK

Guardian: Attack on Baghdad begins

· Missiles target Iraqi leaders
· Bush makes TV address to America
· Saddam pledges victory

A wave of stealth bombers and cruise missiles was launched on Baghdad today as the long-expected US-led attack on Iraq got under way.
Tomahawk cruise missiles were fired and precision-guided bombs were dropped from F-117 Nighthawks, the US air force's stealth fighter-bombers, military officials said.

Air raid sirens followed by a series of explosions were heard in Baghdad at 0234 GMT (5.34am Baghdad time). The action began 90 minutes after the US Bush's deadline for Saddam Hussein to leave Iraq passed.

The attacks appeared to be an attempt to "decapitate" the Iraqi leadership through a precise strike rather than the massive aerial bombardment that US military officials had threatened - the so-called "shock and awe" opening to war. There was no indication whether key targets had been hit

At 0315 GMT, two hours after the expiry of the 48-hour deadline George Bush had given to President Saddam to leave Iraq or face war, the US president went on television to inform the American people that the war had begun.

He said: "Now that conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to apply decisive force. We will accept no outcome but victory."

"We will accept no outcome but victory," Mr Bush said: "The dangers to our country and the world will be overcome."

Three hours after the attack began, Iraqi state television broadcast what appeared to be a live address by President Saddam.

"This is a crime against our dignified and great nation," he said in a short speech.

The Iraqi leader pledged to defeat the American-led invasion. He told his people: "We have great hope that history will be on our side."

"I pledge ... that we will resist the invaders. And, God willing, we will make them lose patience and they will never achieve their goals. They will be met by an everlasting defeat that they will never forget.

His last words were "long live Palestine" - a clear sign that he was attempting to link the attack on Iraq to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.