Excerpts: Saddam vows to repel invasion

Twelve years on Saddam faces a new assault

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has said any invasion of his country will meet with disaster, comparing the threat posed by the United States and its allies to that of the Mongols who razed Baghdad in the 13th century.

The following are excerpts from a nationally televised speech delivered on Friday to coincide with the 12th anniversary of the outbreak of the Gulf War:

Baghdad, its people and leadership, is determined to force the Mongols of our age to commit suicide at its gate.

God has ordained this nation to rise again

Saddam Hussein

Everyone who tries to climb over its wall, be they an aggressor, insolent, wicked, perfidious or an oppressor, will fail in their attempt.

And for this, we have prepared our plans and muster our strength at the level of the army, people and leadership, after placing our reliance on God...

With the banner flying, raise high your swords and rifles, our dear people.

How can a new [Mongol leader] Hulago destroy the city or the great Iraq and how can the brutal, the perfidious and the greedy, after God has ordained this nation to rise again, defeat the will of determination of your brothers in Palestine?

Baghdad, the new 'Jenin'

They have come to confront our nation at a time when the sons of our nation... want to realise a true ascent to its great, faithful, pan-Arab and humanitarian role.

Now, Hulago's spirit has settled in the actions and works of those who have been incited by the criminal Zionists.

Hulago of this age is attacking your mother, the Iraqi civilisation.

Tell him in a loud, clear voice: Stop your evil against the mother of civilisations - the civilisations' primary museum, landmark and cradle, the cradle of messengers and prophets...

Those who epitomise the actions and intentions of Hulago will die at the walls of Baghdad and other Iraqi cities, as they died on the walls of Jenin [scene of fierce fighting between Palestinian militants and Israeli troops last year] and the other Palestinian towns and villages.

The entire nation will rise to defend its right in life, and to defend its role and sacred places.