US and British forces have thrust into southern Iraq, as Baghdad was rocked by the second fierce aerial bombardment since the start of the war to oust Saddam Hussein. The ground assault began after an intense artillery attack on Iraqi positions across the Kuwaiti border. As American units pushed northwards, British marines backed by tanks mounted an amphibious assault on the strategically important al-Faw peninsula in southeastern Iraq.

The Kuwaiti news agency, Kuna, said US and British forces have captured the southern Iraqi city of Umm Qasr, a key oil-shipping terminal, although Iraqi television denied this.

Earlier, Iraq fired 10 missiles into Kuwait, without causing any casualties.

In his first public appearance since the war began, President George W Bush praised the US troops in action.

Iraqi television also broadcast what it said was a new statement from Saddam Hussein.

An announcer read the text, in which the president spoke of Iraq's steadfastness in the face of falsehood and criminals.

Government Buildings Targeted

In the Iraqi capital, huge explosions were heard during the raid amid Iraqi anti-aircraft fire.

Saddam Hussein's main presidential palace and the ministry of planning were struck.

Our correspondent says that the former office of Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz was among sites hit.

Iraqi television said US forces have fired 72 cruise missiles since the start of the attacks.

It said four Iraqi soldiers have died and five have been wounded.

The International Red Cross said one person was killed and 14 others were injured in the first attack.

There is no word of casualties from the second assault.

US officials said the operations did not yet represent the massive bombardment warned of by US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

In other developments:

* UK Prime Minister Tony Blair addresses the nation; he says he is aware that many British people are against the war, but it is necessary and justified.

* Israel radio says US forces are operating in western Iraq to try to thwart the potential for missile attacks on the Jewish state.

* United States expels remaining three diplomats in country, announces it will freeze all non-diplomatic Iraqi Government assets and asks other countries to take similar action

* Parliament in Turkey votes to allow US planes to use Turkish airspace for the war on Iraq

* The Pentagon says a US special forces helicopter crash-landed in southern Iraq before the attacks began - crew and troops on board were rescued

* UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan calls on all sides in the conflict to do their utmost to protect civilians.
PHOTO CAPTION

US and British forces have thrust into southern Iraq. As American units pushed northwards, British marines backed by tanks mounted an amphibious assault on the strategically important al-Faw peninsula in southeastern Iraq.