Saddam Hussein has appeared on state television three hours after the United States launched missile strikes and accused President Bush of committing a crime against humanity.
Apparently determined to prove he had survived a US "decapitation" strike on Baghdad, the defiant Iraqi president appeared in military uniform and took care to make a reference to today's date.
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"To the great Iraqi people, the brave strugglers, to the heroic armed forces: with the prayers of dawn on March 20, 2003, the reckless criminal little Bush committed the crime that he has been threatening to commit against Iraq and humanity".
His information minister, who introduced the broadcast by saying a jihad or holy war had begun, later told reporters that Saddam had survived a US "assassination" attempt.
Saddam read from a notepad, wearing heavy black-framed spectacles, something he rarely does in public. It was not possible to say if the broadcast was live but it appeared to be recent. He seemed to be seated in a small room, instead of the palace suites where he normally appears for broadcasts.
"We pledge to you in our name and in the name of our leadership and in the name of the Iraqi people and its heroic army, in the name of Iraq, its civilisation and history, that we will fight the invaders," he said.
"God willing, we will take them to the limit where they lose their patience and any hope to achieve what they have planned and what the Zionist criminals have pushed them to do".
US government sources said dawn air strikes on Baghdad had been targeted to hit senior figures in Iraq's administration. One US official said the attack was not the promised massive bombardment but an opportunistic "decapitation" strike.
Addressing those of Washington's allies who have spoken out against war, Saddam said: "Now that you have seen how the reckless Bush belittled your positions and views against the war and your calls for peace, he has committed his ugly crime".
He concluded his seven-minute speech: "Allahu Akbar! [God is great] Long live Iraq! Long live Palestine! Long live our glorious nation and long live those who seek peace!"