Saddam makes a victorious return to the airwaves

WITH US-led forces closing in on Baghdad yesterday, a composed Saddam Hussein tried to rally his people and his troops with a stirring address in which he vowed that allied forces would be crushed and "victory will be ours soon."

Dressed in full military uniform, Saddam seemed more robust and relaxed than during his last nationally-televised address on Thursday, which followed the first round of cruise missile attacks on his capital. There had been unconfirmed reports that he was killed or injured in those attacks.

"Iraq will strike the necks (of each enemy fighter)," he said. "Strike them, and strike evil so that evil will be defeated."