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* US claims vanguard of its forces have advanced to within 30kms of the southern edge of Baghdad; some cross “red line” which US believes could trigger chemical attack
* US Marines claim capturing bridge on Tigris for key crossing
* Iraq denies US destroyed Baghdad division of Republican Guard near Kut, southeast of capital
* US military claims it found two banned al-Samoud missiles on a farm near Hilla in central Iraq
* US air raid hits Baghdad maternity hospital, trade fair and motorists; several killed and at least 25 wounded, hospital sources and witnesses say
QUOTES
US Brigadier General Brooks: “The dagger is clearly pointed at the heart of the Baghdad regime and will continue to be pointed at the heart of that regime.”
Iraq military spokesman: “The Baghdad division (of the Republican Guard) is in command of the situation and it enjoys high morale to fight the enemy and destroy it.”
WAR POLL
* Defence experts say US troops likely to need four to eight weeks to take Baghdad, but say predictions difficult
* Fund managers see average six more weeks of war, taking conflict into middle of May
CASUALTIES
* US - 53 killed, 11 missing
* Britain - 27 killed
* Iraqi military - no confirmed figures
* Iraqi civilians - At least 677 killed, 5,037 injured —Reuters
