Post-war diary

WEDNESDAY MAY 7 - the final installment in this series

* Centcom says Ghazi Hamud al-Adib in custody; number 32 on most-wanted list and was Baath Party regional chairman and militia commander for Wasit governorate, including city of Kut.

* Bush names L. Paul Bremer, former State Department counterterrorism chief, as top civil administrator for Iraq

* Australia's Sydney Morning Herald newspaper says it has been handed audiotape in Baghdad of a message, possibly from Saddam, calling on Iraqis to wage "secret" war on US forces.

* Diplomat says Washington will let the UN's nuclear watchdog agency return to Iraq to verify Baghdad's compliance with the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Quotes

Bush (on Bremer's appointment): "He shares the same values as most Americans here, and that is a deep desire to have an orderly country in Iraq that is free and at peace, where the average citizen has a chance to achieve his and her dreams."

Qassem Salam (on mid-April message from Saddam's Baath party): "The crux of the message was that the resistance to the Americans will be tough and it will be decisive and historic."

Forthcoming Events

Thursday, May 8:

WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush meets Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani of Qatar.

Friday, May 9:

JERUSALEM/RAMALLAH/AMMAN/RIYADH/CAIRO - US Secretary of State Colin Powell starts trip to the Middle East.

Monday, May 12:

BERLIN - Powell visits Germany, his first visit there since a rift between the two countries over the war on Iraq.

* * *

MONDAY MAY 5

* US forces in Baghdad hold microbiologist Huda Salih Mahdi Ammash, active in germ warfare development under former Iraqi government and only woman on US list of wanted Iraqis

* US says Iraq should have interim national leadership by mid-May. Third-largest city Mosul elects an interim council and mayor in the country's first vote since Saddam Hussein's ouster

* Jay Garner, Iraq's US administrator, says prominent Iraqis have begun meeting to decide on an interim leadership that could be set up within weeks

* The United States intends to introduce a UN Security Council resolution this week asking nations to be on the alert for and return any Iraqi relics looted from the National Museum in Baghdad

* International Atomic Energy Agency asks the United States to let it investigate reports of looting of Iraq's nuclear facilities

* Leader of SCIRI, Iraq's biggest Shi'ite group, is likely to return from exile but quit his post and stay outside political fray

* Bush will meet Iraq war ally Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar on Wednesday at the White House

Quotes

Garner: "The five opposition leaders have begun having meetings and they are going to bring in leaders from inside Iraq, and see if we can't form a nucleus of leadership as we enter June."

New Mosul mayor al-Basso: "This is the first step on the road to democracy. I promise I will be a faithful soldier."

US General Petraeus to Iraqi delegates in Mosul: "By being here today you are participating in the birth of the democratic process in Iraq."

SCIRI leader Ayatollah Mohammad Baqer al-Hakim's nephew on his uncle's plans: "He does not want to act as the prime minister or president in Iraq's future government. He does not want to enter into the political structure of Iraq's future government."

Marine Lieutenant David Lewis on suspected mass grave: "Some of the skulls appear to have been cut open, maybe they were experimenting with the prisoners. Some were executed, you can see bulletholes in their skulls. Some were still strapped to metal structures."

* * *

SUNDAY MAY 4

* Bush says only a matter of time before US troops in Iraq find weapons of mass destruction, which Washington used to justify the war

* Iraqis unearth mass grave of corpses, some with hands tied, believed executed during 1991 Shi'ite Muslim uprising.

* Hundreds of unarmed Iraqi police return to Baghdad streets under supervision of US forces

* US-led body charged with Iraq's reconstruction appoints oil technocrat Thamir Abbas Ghadhban to run oil ministry

* Poland says 10 nations that have offered troops under a US-led postwar stability plan for Iraq hope to have their forces there by the end of this month

Quotes

Bush to Australian Prime Minister John Howard: "You're kind of like a Texan."

Marine Lieutenant David Lewis on suspected mass grave: "Some of the skulls appear to have been cut open, maybe they were experimenting with the prisoners. Some were executed, you can see bullet holes in their skulls. Some were still strapped to metal structures."

US Defence Secretary Rumsfeld on Saddam: "He and his crowd are gone. They're either in a tunnel someplace or in a basement hiding. We'll find them, if he's alive."

* * *

SATURDAY MAY 3

* Two men on US list of 55 most wanted Iraqis detained

* Bush declares end to major combat operations in Iraq

* Muslim prayer leaders in Falluja call on Iraqis to end reprisal attacks against US soldiers

* Explosions rock Baghdad as US troops blow up land mines, unexploded shells

* Rumsfeld meets Blair in London to discuss Iraq reconstruction and Afghanistan

* EU foreign ministers meet in Greece for talks on rebuilding Iraq and healing rift with Washington

* Ship with 14,000 tonnes of rice, the first WFP delivery since war began, expected at Umm Qasr on Friday

Quotes

Bush: "In the battle of Iraq, the United States and ourallies have prevailed...No terrorist network will gain weapons of mass destruction from the Iraqi regime because the Iraqi regime is no more."

US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Richard Myers: "Istill think we're living in one of the most dangerous times for our country. There are plans in place to kill Americans and our allies and friends around the world."

* * *

FRIDAY MAY 2

* President George W. Bush declared end to major combat operations in Iraq aboard a US aircraft carrier coming home from Gulf

* Seven US soldiers wounded in grenade attack in Falluja, where American troops killed at least 15 people this week
* At least four people killed, and more than 32 badly burned when Iraqis, celebrating resumption of electricity, shot up a petrol tanker in Baghdad

* US Secretary of State Colin Powell said US troops appeared to have acted in self-defence when they fired on a hotel in Baghdad, killing two journalists working for Spanish television and Reuters.

* A British soldier was killed by an explosion in southern Iraq, the Ministry of Defence said. No further details were given.

* Rumsfeld will hold talks on Iraq and other issues with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Defence Minister Geoff Hoon in London on Friday.

* First of several thousand Italian troops leave country bound for Iraq to help keep order and assist with aid

* The top UN humanitarian official on Iraq arrived back in Baghdad to establish a permanent presence in the country.

* Britain sending diplomats to Iraq to open a Baghdad office

* Diplomats said chances are slim the UN Security Council will lift sanctions against Iraq in June, despite Bush's call to get the UN out of the Iraq oil-for-food plan.

Quotes

Bush: "Americans prayed that war would not be necessary and now pray that peace will be just and lasting."

Falluja Deputy Mayor Ziad Mekhlif: "The religious leaders in the city are working with the government to ask the people to stay calm. But, if the Americans make a mistake and overreact again, I don't know how we will contain the hatred."

Events

LONDON, England - Rumsfeld, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Defence Minister Geoff Hoon talk about Iraq.

RHODES/KASTERLORIZO, Greece - EU foreign ministers meet on islands of Rhodes and Kastelorizo to discuss situation in postwar Iraq and role of the United Nations.

* * *

THURSDAY MAY 1

* Seven US soldiers wounded in grenade attack in Iraqi city of Falluja, where American troops killed at least 15 people this week

* Rumsfeld visits Kuwait, winding up Gulf tour that included trip to Baghdad

* Bush will tell Americans on Friday the major fighting in Iraq is over, White House says

* US State Department proposes dropping most US sanctions against Iraq to allow trade and economic aid as it releases an annual report on terrorism.

* First of several thousand Italian troops left the country bound for Iraq to help keep order and assist with aid

* Britain is sending diplomats to Iraq to open a Baghdad
office

Quotes

Rumsfeld: "Our goal is to restore stability and security so that you can form an interim government and eventually a free Iraqi government -- a government of your choosing, a government that is of Iraqi design and Iraqi choice. We will stay as long as necessary to help you do that, and not a day longer."

Saddam letter: "There are no priorities except kicking out the infidel, criminal, murderous and cowardly occupier..."

Events

BAGHDAD - Leaders of Iraq's key political parties due to meet to discuss an interim authority for Iraq.
SAN DIEGO - Bush greets US sailors returning from Iraq in a visit to the USS Abraham Lincoln.

* * *

WEDNESDAY APRIL 30

* US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld makes unannounced to Baghdad; he is due to meet US administrator Jay Garner

* US troops open fire for the second time this week on an angry crowd in the Iraqi town of Falluja, near Baghdad. A local hospital official says two men were killed

* UN nuclear weapons watchdog head Mohamed ElBaradei criticises US plans to take over weapons inspections, saying his mandate is still in force
* About a dozen countries say willing to join an international security force for Iraq and send military officers to London for talks

Quotes

Rumsfeld: "Our goal is to restore stability and security so that you can form an interim government and eventually a free Iraqi government -- a government of your choosing, a government that is of Iraqi design and Iraqi choice. We will stay as long as necessary to help you do that, and not a day longer."

Events

IRAQ - Rumsfeld travels to Baghdad from Basra
GULF - US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham visits region to meet oil and government ministers from Doha, Qatar and Saudi Arabia


* * *

TUESDAY APRIL 29

* US troops shoot dead at least 13 Iraqis demonstrating against their presence at a school in Falluja, west of Baghdad, residents tell Reuters

* United States announces ending military operations in Saudi Arabia and removing virtually all of its forces from the kingdom by mutual agreement

* United States moves military reinforcements to Baghdad to boost security in the Iraqi capital

* US forces say they are holding Saddam's oil minister Amir Muhammed Rasheed, number 47 on US list of 55 most wanted Iraqis

Quotes

A spokeswoman for US Central Command, describing the shooting in Falluja: "The Iraqis fired on them. The troops returned fire."

Shuker Abdullah Hamid, a cousin of one of the victims: "They are stealing our oil and they are slaughtering our people."

Events

RIYADH - US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visits Saudi Arabia as part of tour of the Gulf

MOSCOW - British Prime Minister Tony Blair travels to Russia for talks with President Vladimir Putin

BRUSSELS - France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, which opposed the US-led war in Iraq, hold a European Defence integration summit without involving Britain, Italy Spain and the Netherlands.

DAMASCUS - Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul visits Syria over both countries concerns about Kurdish-run northern Iraq

LONDON - British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw gives evidence to the Foreign Affairs Committee as part of its inquiry into foreign policy and the war against terrorism

WASHINGTON - Final day of the Council of the Americas 33rd annual conference, with Bush's speech

Reconstruction

* World Bank chief sees Iraq reconstruction costing up to $3 billion a year

* Archaeologists from around the world vowed to help Iraq rebuild its shattered national heritage at a meeting in London

* * *

SATURDAY APRIL 26

* Tareq Aziz surrenders to US in Baghdad, hours before US captures ex-spy chief Farouk Hijazi near Syrian border; Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says captive leaders are providing "useful information" but could face criminal charges

* Senior Sunni Muslim cleric urges Iraqis at Friday prayers to reject US presence in country

* Baghdad's self-declared mayor says wants to co-operate with Jay Garner's US-led reconstruction team; Shi'ite clerics say running Najaf, ignoring US-led forces outside holy city

* Over 100 Iraqi exiles gather in Madrid for weekend talks

Quotes

Defence Secretary Rumsfeld: "You can be certain that the people who we have reason to believe have information are being interrogated by interagency teams. And they are in fact providing information that's useful."

Senior Sunni Muslim cleric Sheikh Moayyad Ibrahim al-Aadhami: "Let's say no to America, no to the occupation. We won't replace one tyrant with another."

Events

* Bush scheduled to meet rescued US prisoners of war from Iraq in Texas

* Egypt's Mubarak to meet Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah in Egypt

Reconstruction

* US Treasury appoints Michigan State University president Peter McPherson as economic adviser to office of reconstruction

* Paris Club of 19 creditor nations agree on need to find a solution to Iraq's foreign debt; club chairman says total Iraqi debt stands at "around US$100 billion ($181.15b)"

* * *

FRIDAY APRIL 25

* Tareq Aziz, ex-deputy premier and No. 43 on a US list of 55 most-wanted Iraqis, surrenders to US troops in Baghdad

* Former spy chief Farouk Hijazi detained by US forces near Iraq's border with Syria, US official says

* Senior Sunni Muslim cleric urges Iraqis to reject US presence in their country at Friday prayers in Baghdad

* UN Security Council extends oil-for-food programme until June 3

Quotes

Garner: "I think you'll begin to see the governmental process start next week, by the end of next week. It will have Iraqi faces on it. It will be governed by the Iraqis."

Bush on WMD: "One thing is for certain, Saddam Hussein no longer threatens America with weapons of mass destruction."

BBC Director General Greg Dyke: "Personally, I was shocked while in the United States by how unquestioning the broadcast news media was during this war."

Events

* Arab League's Moussa in Saudi Arabia in bid to secure active Arab role in Iraqi reconstruction

Reconstruction

* Paris Club of 19 creditor nations agree on need to find a solution to Iraq's foreign debt; club chairman says total Iraqi debt stands at "around $100 billion"

* * *

THURSDAY APRIL 24

* Garner says will start forming new government in Iraq next week, urges Iraqis back to work

* Garner holds closed-door talks with Baghdad community leaders, does not invite self-styled city mayor Zubaidi

* US says it has detained four more key members of Saddam Hussein's government, including chief of military intelligence

* Iran rejects US suggestions of pro-Shi'ite interference in Iraq

* UK's Hoon plays down chances of UN weapons inspectors returning to Iraq

* First passenger ferry since the war docks at Umm Qasr, loaded with Iraqis returning home

Quotes

US administrator Garner: "Our purpose here in your country is to create an environment for you so that we can begin a process of government that leads to a democratic form...a government that is a mosaic of the Iraqi people."

Iranian Foreign Minister Kharrazi: "For us Shi'ites, Sunnis, Turks and Arabs are the same and everybody should play their role in a democratic Iraq."

Hoon: "We've always said that it's important there should be an independent element in verification. We have not necessarily specified that that should be the United Nations. There could be other countries who could identify...precursors for nerve agents."

Events

* Opec holds emergency meeting in Vienna to discuss cutting supplies in response to a sharp drop in world oil prices

* Paris Club of creditor nations discuss how much Iraq owes Monday -

* Iraqi faction leaders meet in Baghdad for US-backed
talks on setting up interim administration (postponed from Saturday)

* Bush (1645) and Powell address 33rd annual conference of Council of the Americas

Casualties

* US - 132 killed, one missing

* Britain - 31 killed (includes one from natural causes)

* Iraqi military - at least 2,320 (US military estimates for Baghdad alone, no other figures available)

* Iraqi civilians - more than 1,250 killed (minimum Iraqi estimate up to April 3). website Iraq Body Count run by academics and peace activists puts civilian deaths at between 1,930 and 2,377 based on reports by at least two media sources.

Reconstruction

* Australia's trade minister plans to take delegation to Washington to lobby for reconstruction contracts worth billions of dollars

* * *

WEDNESDAY APRIL 23

* Hundreds of thousands of Shi'ite Muslims throng holy city of Kerbala for annual pilgrimage long suppressed by Saddam Hussein; some call for US to leave Iraq

* France will face consequences after opposing US on Iraq, Secretary of State Colin Powell tells US television

* French Foreign Minister says France "acted to defend international law" during Iraq crisis, will continue to do so

* UK Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon says his "best judgment" is that Saddam is still in Iraq

* US's Garner continues to receive warm welcome during tour of northern Iraq

Quotes

Powell: "It's over and...we have to look at all aspects of our relationship with France in the light of this."

French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin: "France has acted along with a very large majority of the international community...to defend international law. It will continue to do this in any circumstances."

Hoon: "We continue to search those places (Saddam) may be hiding. In the end we don't know, but it is still our best judgment that he is (in Iraq)."

Events

* Garner continues visit to northern Iraq

* Aznar meets Blair in London to discuss Middle East, Iraq

* Villepin heads high-ranking political delegation to Iran

Casualties

* US - 128 killed, two missing

* Britain - 31 killed (includes one death by natural causes)

* Iraqi military - at least 2,320 (US military estimates for Baghdad alone, no other figures available)

* Iraqi civilians - more than 1,250 killed (minimum Iraqi estimate up to April 3). website Iraq Body Count run by academics and peace activists puts civilian deaths at between 1,930 and 2,377 based on reports by at least two media sources.

Reconstruction

* UN's Annan says serious discussions under way on resumption of Iraqi oil exports

* Australia to send team of agricultural experts to Iraq to work with Iraqi officials and senior US agriculture nominee

* US trade official says Bush administration looking at a trade and economic development package as part of efforts to rebuild Iraq and help other countries in Middle East.

* * *

TUESDAY APRIL 22

* Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Shi'ite Muslims on Kerbala pilgrimage, walking in procession banned under Saddam; some denounce US "occupation"

* US-led forces say find 800 suicide bomb vests, unearth stash of more than $600 million hidden in Baghdad home

* US says it and war allies taking responsibility for dismantling suspected weapons of mass destruction

* France proposes suspending UN sanctions on Iraq immediately

* Russia says sanctions should stay until UN inspectors declare Iraq free of illegal arms; China calls for lifting them

* Blix questions intelligence pointing to Iraqi weapons of mass destruction used by US, Britain to justify invading country

Quotes

France's UN ambassador: "We could suspend the sanctions and adjust the oil-for-food (programme) with an idea of its phasing out."

US Brigadier General Brooks on suicide vests: "We have found a number of these in several different locations ... We know there's someone that produces (vests), then distributes them and intended at least to use the ones we found."

Iraqi Shi'ite pilgrims: "Yes, yes to Islam, no to America, no to Israel, no to colonialism, no to occupation."

Events

* Garner visits northern Iraq (until Wednesday)

* UN Security Council discusses oil-for-food programme

* French Foreign Minister Villepin meets Turkish counterpart Gul and Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan in Ankara, news conference (1900)

* Arab League Secretary-General Moussa to visit Damascus to discuss Iraq and the Palestinian issue

Casualties

* US - 128 killed, two missing

* Britain - 31 killed (includes one death by natural causes)

* Iraqi military - at least 2,320 (US military estimates for Baghdad alone, no other figures available)

* Iraqi civilians - more than 1,250 killed (minimum Iraqi estimate up to April 3). website Iraq Body Count run by academics and peace activists puts civilian deaths at between 1,878 and 2,325 based on reports by at least two media sources.

Reconstruction

* UN's Annan says serious discussions under way on resumption of Iraqi oil exports

* Australia to send team of agricultural experts to Iraq to work with Iraqi officials and senior US agriculture nominee

* US trade official says Bush administration looking at a trade and economic development package as part of efforts to rebuild Iraq and help other countries in Middle East

* United Arab Emirates says it will build water treatment plant in Basra to alleviate severe water shortage

* * *

MONDAY APRIL 21

* Jay Garner, US head of Iraq's civil administration, arrives in Baghdad, says priority to restore water, power

* US says it does not recognise Baghdad's self-styled "governor" Zubaidi, says unlikely Opec will accept his deputy as Iraq delegate

* Opec says no request from Iraq to attend this week's Vienna meeting

* Russia will insist UN arms inspectors declare Iraq free of weapons of mass destruction before sanctions can be lifted, senior official tells Itar-Tass

* Iraqi scientist says Iraq destroyed chemical and biological weapons just before war began, New York Times reports

* Refinery in Baghdad restarts at half capacity; Turkey says pushing to restart loading Iraqi oil at Mediterranean port of Ceyhan

Quotes

US administrator on Zubaidi: "We don't really know much about him except that he's declared himself mayor...We don't recognise him."

Iranian oil minister Zanganeh: "Only a government recognised by the United Nations as Iraq's legal government can represent Iraq in Opec."

Russian official on arms inspections: "This could be done within a couple of weeks as it is obvious that there are no such weapons there."

Events

* Rumsfeld and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Myers hold Pentagon news briefing (1800)

* Egypt's Mubarak travels to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia for talks on Iraq, local news agencies report

* Spanish foreign minister meets Syrian counterpart in Damascus

Casualties

* US - 128 killed, two missing

* Britain - 31 killed (includes one death by natural causes)

* Iraqi military - at least 2,320 (US military estimates for Baghdad alone, no other figures available)

* Iraqi civilians - more than 1,250 killed (minimum Iraqi estimate up to April 3). Website Iraq Body Count run by academics and peace activists puts civilian deaths at between 1,878 and 2,325 based on reports by at least two media sources.

Reconstruction

* Garner says his priority to restore water, power

* Power supply restored to parts of eastern Baghdad after two week cut

* * *

SUNDAY APRIL 20

* Fifty UN truckloads of wheat flour arrive in Baghdad where stocks are expected to run thin in early May

* Egypt's Mubarak arrives in Syria to discuss with Assad Iraq and tensions between Washington and Damascus

* Thousands of Iraqi Christians attend Easter mass; tide of Shi'ite pilgrims heads to Kerbala, impeding US tanks

* Australian foreign minister says US-led forces in Iraq will proclaim victory in the next few days

* British forces in southern Iraq relaunch train service aiming to use it as aid supply line

* Kuwait sends food to ravenous animals left in Baghdad's pillaged zoo

QUOTES

Pope: "With the support of the international community, may the Iraqi people become the protagonists of the collective rebuilding of their country."

US military spokesman on Hikmat Ibrahim al-Azzawi: "As the deputy prime minister for finance and economics he could have information on the locations of money that belongs to the Iraqi people."

EVENTS (TIMES IN GMT)

* Egypt's Mubarak in Syria for talks with Assad

CASUALTIES

* US - 128 killed, 2 missing

* Britain - 31 killed (includes one death by natural causes)

* Iraqi military - at least 2,320 (US military estimates for Baghdad alone, no other figures available)

* Iraqi civilians - more than 1,250 killed (minimum Iraqi estimate up to April 3). Website www.iraqbodycount.net run by academics and peace activists puts civilian deaths at between 1,878 and 2,325 based on reports by at least two media sources.

RECONSTRUCTION

* Canada says considering US request to help rebuild postwar Iraq, but unlikely to send ground troops

* Turkey also considering US request that it send troops to join peacekeeping force

* * *

SATURDAY APRIL 19

* Iraq's neighbours say "occupying power" has no right toexploit Iraqi oil and should withdraw as soon as possible

* Saudi Foreign Minister al-Faisal says UN sanctionsshould end only when legitimate Iraqi government in place

* US says holding suspected Iraqi nerve gas official, alsohas captured Iraqi finance minister

* US officials say Saddam's fate remains unknown despitepurported video of Iraqi leader aired on Friday

QUOTES

Saudi Foreign Minister al-Faisal: "Now Iraq is under anoccupying power and any request for lifting sanctions must comewhen there is a legitimate government which represents thepeople."

EVENTS

* Spanish foreign minister meets Syrian counterpart in Damascus

CASUALTIES

* US - 128 killed, 2 missing

* Britain - 31 killed (includes one death by natural causes)

* Iraqi military - at least 2,320 (US military estimatesfor Baghdad alone, no other figures available)

* Iraqi civilians - more than 1,250 killed (minimum Iraqiestimate up to April 3). Website www.iraqbodycount.net run byacademics and peace activists puts civilian deaths at between1,652 and 1,939, based on reports by at least two media sources.

RECONSTRUCTION

* Canada says considering US request to help rebuild postwar Iraq, but unlikely to send ground troops

* * *

FRIDAY APRIL 18

* Tens of thousands march after Friday prayers in Baghdad demanding US leave Iraq, calling for Islamic state

* Iraq's neighbouring states gather in Saudi Arabia; opening statement criticises what it calls US threats against Syria

* Iraqi Kurds hand over member of US list of most-wanted Iraqis, fourth wanted aide of Saddam who is captured

* Abu Dhabi TV shows footage it says shows Saddam saluting supporters on April 9, the day the capital fell to US forces

* Pro-American Iraqi politician Ahmad Chalabi says no role for UN in post-war Iraq

* US, British forces have released 887 Iraqi prisoners, continue to hold about 7,000 others, Pentagon says

QUOTES

Statement read out by Saudi foreign minister at meeting of Mideast nations in Riyadh: "We abolutely refuse the recent threat against Syria which can only increase the likelihood of a new circle of war and hatred, especially in light of the continuing deterioration of the Palestinian situation."

Audio tape played on Arab network Abu Dhabi TV, said to be last radio speech broadcast by Saddam: "Regardless of the time needed to achieve victory and regardless of the forms of the struggle that might be needed, regardless of the length of the occupation, the freedom of the people is the most important."

EVENTS (TIMES IN GMT)

* Middle Eastern foreign ministers meet in Riyadh

CASUALTIES

* US - 127 killed, 2 missing

* Britain - 30 killed

* Iraqi military - at least 2,320 in Baghdad, according to US military. Iraq has given no figures for its military losses

* Iraqi civilians - 1,254 killed, 5,112 wounded (last official estimate). Website www.iraqbodycount.net run by academics, peace activists puts civilian deaths at between 1,642 and 1,904, based on reports by at least two media sources.

RECONSTRUCTION

* UN aid convoy carrying drinking water for parched Iraqis drives into Iraq from Iran, first time such aid has crossed the
border since the two countries fought a bitter war in the 1980s.

* UN says it has so far bought foodstuffs worth $38.7 million from Turkey as part of a humanitarian aid package for Iraq.

* UN's World Food Programme has hired a team of experts to assess Iraq's capacity to mill flour after the war.

* * *

WEDNESDAY APRIL 16

* US trumpets capture of Palestinian guerrilla Abu Abbas in Iraq as proof of a link between Saddam and terrorism

* Italy says will ask for extradition of Abu Abbas; Palestinian Authority demands his release

* US officials say Iraq to use dollar, multiple currencies until Iraqi authority sets new dinar; say to start $20 per head payments to Iraqi civil servants within days

* US officials say to use $1.7 billion seized assets partly for salaries, to create foreign exchange reserves

* US says killed at least seven Iraqis at demonstration in Mosul on Tuesday

* Syria proposes Middle East WMD-free zone, denies US charges it has chemical weapons

Quotes

US military spokesman Thorp on capture of Abu Abbas: "When we came into this the Secretary of Defence (Donald Rumsfeld) said one big concern was the nexus between this regime and terrorism. This proves the nexus was there."

US official on emergency $20 payments to Iraqi civil servants: "This is not an issue of dollarising the economy, but to get money into desperate peoples' hands."

Events

* Annan attends EU leaders' meeting in Athens, to meet Blair, Chirac, Schroeder

* Bush to sign $79 billion war spending package

* US war commander General Franks visits Baghdad Friday

* Middle Eastern foreign ministers provisionally scheduled to meet in Riyadh

Casualties

* US - 123 killed, 4 missing