"The way in which we go about solving this problem of fighting in cities is very delicate and very subtle," Air Marshall Brian Burridge, the commander of British forces in Iraq, told the BBC Radio 4's Today program.

"We need to proceed with great delicacy in Baghdad as we did in Basra because we don't want to cause any more damage to the place than is necessary and we certainly don't want to add to civilian casualties," Burridge said.

His comments came amid media speculation that major coalition ground offensive on Baghdad would begin "within 48 hours" with an intensive air bombardment before the main body of troops stepped forward into the city.

Burridge also warned that the upcoming attack on Baghdad did not mean that a swift end to the US-led war against Iraq was in sight.

"Decisive phases often take time, so I would not want to give the impression that within a day or two, this is going to be finished," Burridge said.

In another development, 12 British casualties were brought back to Britain early Wednesday as US-led forces engaged in major battles with the Iraqi Republican Guard south of Baghdad.

(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2003)