Washington: The US on March 20 said it had reached no conclusion about whether a televised speech by Saddam Hussein after the strikes on Baghdad was genuine or not.

US intelligence was also trying to confirm whether the speech was a pre-recorded speech or used a body double, top officials said on condition of anonymity.

If Saddam were killed, it would be the end of the war even before it has started in earnest. If Saddam survived, intelligence would be equally interested in knowing whether any of his top aides was killed.

US cruise missiles and bombs were unleashed on a private house where Saddam Hussein and top aides were reportedly holed up.

PTI