There are reports that two children were shot dead by US Marines in the southern Iraqi town of Nasiriya when the driver of the vehicle the youngsters were travelling in ignored warnings to stop.

IRAQI officials have denied any uprising in Basra, but they say it has been the scene for the most civilian casualties — with 116 people killed and 659 hurt since the war began.

Iraqi opposition groups tonight called for a popular uprising to liberate the country from “dictatorship” and outlined a detailed plan for the future of Iraq.