March 28, 2003	Friday	Muharram 24, 1424

BAGHDAD, March 27: Iraq’s defence minister said on Thursday he expected that US-led forces would manage to encircle Baghdad within five to 10 days, but they would then have to face fierce street-to-street fighting that could last months.

“We set up our (main) defences in Baghdad. It will be no surprise that in five to 10 days they will be able to encircle all our positions in Baghdad. They have the capability to do so,” Defence Minister Sultan Hashim Ahmed told a news conference.

“But they have to come into the city eventually,” he said. “The enemy can bypass the resistance and go in the desert as far as it wants. In the end, where can he go? He has to enter the city.”

Asked if he expected street fighting in Baghdad, he said: “Definitely.”

Mr Hashim said said the conflict could drag on for months: “It could be decided in two months or even more.”—Reuters