Iraqis told to ‘fight with your hands’

WITH US ground forces closing in fast, Saddam Hussein last night exhorted the Iraqi people to “fight them with your hands,” according to a statement on Iraqi satellite television.

The statement, addressed to the people of the region south-east of Baghdad, was read by Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf. Saddam hasn’t delivered a speech on TV since March 24, and it is unclear when that address was recorded.

“Fight them with your hands, God will disgrace them. God is great,” said the minister.