MacDill Air Force Base: President George Bush said on March 26 the war in Iraq is far from over and warned that coalition forces will face "the most desperate elements of a doomed regime'' as they close in on Baghdad.

Flanked by dozens of uniformed military personnel, the president promised to prevail. "We will be relentless in our pursuit of victory.''

He said Saddam Hussein's highly trained Republican Guard troops are under "direct and intense attack'' from coalition forces. "Day by day, Saddam Hussein is losing his grip on Iraq. Day by day, the Iraqi people are closer to freedom.''

Bush's visit came as US and British forces began to suffer battle casualties. Nine Marines were killed on March 23 in an ambush, and Army helicopters encountered fierce resistance during an attack on March 24 on Republican Guard units protecting the approaches to Baghdad. One helicopter went down and its two-man crew was captured.

"The military is making good progress in Iraq, yet this war is far from over,'' Bush said.

"As they approach Baghdad, our fighting units are facing the most desperate elements of a doomed regime. We cannot know the duration of this war, but we are prepared for the battle ahead.''

Bush spoke at the headquarters of Central Command, the nerve centre of pre-war military planning.

"I can assure you there will be a day of reckoning for Iraq, and that day is drawing near,'' Bush said to loud applause. Bush said, "We've seen their daring against ruthless enemies and their decency to an oppressed people.

"Millions of Americans are proud of our military, and so am I.''

Agencies