"We will win this war, be patient," President Saddam Hussein told his people repeatedly yesterday in a televised address on the fifth day of the war. President Saddam read his speech, seated in front of a white sheet, perhaps to prevent anyone from recognising the location.
Iraq did everything it could to avoid war, the Iraqi leader continued. But the US and Britain were determined to attack, regardless of its concessions.
Now that war has been thrust upon them: "We will destroy the invaders; we will cut their throats," he said.
"The enemy will step into the abyss, and be defeated by our will and determination."
Mr Mohamed Said al-Sahaf, Information Minister, said yesterday: "We will continue to show the mercenaries who fall into our hands," defying American and British officials who said the broadcasts were a violation of the Geneva Convention.
Like President Bush, President Saddam often talks in religious terms. "The devil sent you to us and this is the result," he said, addressing himself to the US and Britain. "God has let them down and supported our army. God will let them down in the future," the Iraqi leader continued.
It was Iraq's strategy "to wear them out so they cannot continue this fight or commit more crimes".
Iraqis "martyred" in defence of their country would be rewarded "with paradise and heaven".
In his speech, President Saddam, like his Defence Minister, Gen Sultan Hashem at a press conference on Sunday night, praised by name the Iraqi army commanders who have defended Umm Qasr, Basra, Nassiriya and Najaf, along with their units.
It was a way of stressing that ordinary soldiers - not his most loyal troops in the elite Republican Guard - were fighting.