Saddam Hussein, the major target in the US-led military strikes, chaired the meeting as the war entered the eighth day.

The report gave no details about what has been discussed during the meeting. However, it is believed that high on the agenda was the current US-led military operations against Iraq.

Present at the meeting were Iraqi Vice-President Taha Yassin Ramadan, Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, Defense Minister Hashim Ahmed and a number of other ministers.

The meeting was held while the US-led coalition forces launched several rounds of air attacks on the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Thursday.

Eyewitnesses told that Iraqi anti-aircraft defenses were seen opening fire at US or British targets.

More than 30 explosions have rocked Baghdad since overnight, most of which were heard in the southern part of the city. The area, where the Iraqi Information Ministry is located, was also hit during the bombing campaign, they said.

At least 36 civilians have been reportedly killed and 215 wounded during the US bombings in the past 24 hours.

Iraqi Health Minister Umid Medhat Mubarak said here Thursday that 350 civilians have been killed and some 4,000 others injured since the US-led war on Iraq started last Thursday.

He said most of the victims were children, women and the elderly.

(Xinhua News Agency March 28, 2003)