Allied soldiers inched towards Baghdad today, capturing or killing paramilitary and Republican Guard defenders while new waves of US bombs set off blazes in the Iraqi capital.

IRAQ scrapped six more banned al-Samoud 2 missiles and three warheads yesterday, and UN inspectors searched for bombs capable of delivering biological weapons Baghdad says were destroyed and buried.

United Nations weapons inspectors today visited two sites in Iraq involved in producing and testing the Al Samoud 2 missile, which Baghdad has been ordered to destroy.

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has declared that Baghdad wants peace – but not at the price of its dignity and independence.

SADDAM HUSSEIN yesterday declared Iraq wants peace — but not at the price of its dignity and independence.