Historic port city set to fall to invaders

COALITION forces were last night poised to take the strategic city of Basra as the war against Saddam Hussein looked like entering a new phase.

US and British forces were on the outskirts of Basra as much of southern Iraq came under the control of allied forces, British Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Michael Boyce said.

In a country wracked by war and constant bloodshed the key city of Basra has been at the centre of all turmoil. The ancient port is the first