Saddam Hussein saluted Iraqi defenders of the southern city of Kut in a letter read by Iraqi Information Minister Mohammad Said al-Sahhaf on television.

Saddam hailed the "noble struggle and resistance" by Iraqi troops fighting invading coalition forces in the city 160 km south of Baghdad.

"May God bless the valiant men ready for sacrifice to defend Iraq," said the message.

The letter was read after US Central Command in Doha, Qatar, said their troops had advanced within 10 km of the Iraqi capital city.

(Xinhua News Agency April 3, 2003)