Iraq’s electoral commission released partial and preliminary results today from the last week’s elections that showed Shiite and Kurdish parties dominating in provinces where they are the predominant group.

Saddam Hussein has said his country will defeat any invaders and accused US President George Bush of trying to turn Arabs into slaves.

NORTH of Baghdad yesterday, drivers climbed onto yellow bulldozers to pulverise missiles and warheads. To the south, workers donned welding gear and used cutting torches to dismember giant metal casting chambers.