US pounds Fallujah in move to hit militants

US aircraft blasted the rebel stronghold of Fallujah three times in 24 hours over the weekend in a concerted effort to hit militants loyal to guerrilla chief Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

The US military believes the Jordanian-born Zarqawi, who has a $25 million (€20m) price on his head, is in Falluja and co-ordinating activities from there.

His group seized two Americans and a Briton from their home in Baghdad 10 days ago, demanding the release of women prisoners from Iraqi jails in return for their lives.