European stock markets all reported strong openings today as US-led tanks and armoured vehicles launched an attack on central Baghdad.
With investors pricing in a successful outcome for the coalition, the FTSE 100 was up over 2 per cent to 3917.00 at 09.20 a.m.
Frankfurt's Xetra Dax index was 3.8 per cent higher on 2775.95 the Paris CAC 40 jumped 3.6 per cent to 2,939.4.
In Tokyo the Nikkei 225 Average moved ahead 1.9 per cent to 8,235.0 this morning.
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Another beneficiary of positive news from Iraq was the dollar which strengthened sharply to $1.061 against the euro, its highest level for two weeks.
Oil prices too reacted to the news, falling more than 80 cents to $23.80 per barrel in early trade.
Agencies