Latest developments at a glance

Developments in the war on Iraq in the last 24 hours.

:: UK troops destroyed 14 Iraqi tanks outside Basra in what was believed to be the largest tank battle involving British forces since the Second World War.

:: Iraqi defence minister Sultan Hashim Ahmed said US forces were destined to spend months embroiled in savage street fighting.

He said: “The enemy must come inside Baghdad, and that will be its grave.”

:: Two British soldiers reported missing, believed killed, after an attack on British military vehicles in southern Iraq, were named as Sapper Luke Allsopp, 33, (EOD) Engineer Regiment, from North London and Staff Sergeant Simon Cullingworth, 33, (EOD) Engineer Regiment, from Essex.

:: Britain's Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon revealed British troops discovered more than 100 bio-chemical protection suits in a command post abandoned by fleeing Iraqi troops.

:: A Patriot missile defence battery shot down a missile fired at Kuwait from southern Iraq.

:: Iraq will be disarmed of its weapons of mass destruction, Saddam Hussein’s regime will be ended and the “long-suffering Iraqi people will be free”, US President George Bush said following talks at Camp David with Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair.

:: Mr Blair told the people of Iraq: “We will liberate you. The day of your freedom draws near.”

:: The British Prime Minister said the release of “pictures of executed British soldiers” was yet more evidence of the “depravity” of Saddam’s regime and sent his condolences to the families of the soldiers killed.

:: The British government announced that the UK’s war chest for the conflict had been raised to £3bn (€4.3bn).

:: Several large explosions were heard in Baghdad on a night which was to see the heaviest bombardment for days.

:: Australian officials said they were confident the British RFA ship Sir Galahad would dock at Umm Qasr within hours, after aid for Iraq was delayed again after more mines were discovered in the port.