Although some experts
believed the address was prerecorded, many believed it was live and
proved the US had failed in its early attempt to target the Iraqi
president.
But Saddam's hopes of rallying the Iraqi people were hit by
technical problems which meant the broadcast was abruptly halted on
Iraqi television and only viewers of the satellite channel
Al-Jazeera were able to hear the full rambling speech.
The address
was shown two hours after the first US cruise missiles hit targets
in and around Baghdad.
Dressed in military uniform and wearing thick glasses and a black
beret, Saddam urged Iraqis to be brave and assured them they "will
be victorious". He also made desperate attempts to link his plight
to the suffering of the Palestinians - a touchstone issue for all
Arabs.
He said: "We promise you that Iraq, its leadership and its people
will stand up to the evil invaders, and we will take them to such
limits that they will lose their patience in achieving their plans,
which are pushed by criminal Zionism.
"They will face a bitter defeat, God willing. You will be able to
achieve glory and your despicable infidel enemies will be defeated.
This is added to the series of their shameful crimes against Iraq
and humanity." Saddam described the US President as "little, evil
Bush", and added: "Draw your sword and be not afraid."
In what appeared to be a reference to the countries, including
France, which have voiced their opposition to war, Saddam said: "My
friends, and those who are fighting evil in the world, peace be
among you. You have seen how Bush is acting against you and your
opinions against the war - your call for peace.
"He is committing disgraceful crimes today. I am with you in the
leadership and the people of Iraq who are fighting and the heroic
army." He pledged that Iraqis would "conquer the invaders" and "win
with God".
The broadcast gave no indication of the Saddam's whereabouts. He
was filmed in what appeared to be a small cubicle with a blue
curtain as the sole background.
After Labour backbencher George Galloway met him in Baghdad last
year, he disclosed that Saddam was now living almost completely
underground, in a labyrinthine system of bunkers.
Iraqi TV also showed footage of a march on Tuesday in Baghdad,
with members of the crowd chanting pro-Saddam slogans, some
brandishing rifles and carrying pictures of Saddam.