Text: 'Victory over America'

Text: 'Victory over America'

Iraq's Information Minister, Mohammed Saeed Sahaf, has denied US troops are in Baghdad.

His comments were carried on al-Jazeera television, whom he accused of spreading American propaganda.

Here is the text of what he said:

Be reassured, Baghdad is safe, fortified and great

Mohammed Saeed Sahaf

"There are no American infidels in Baghdad. Never!

"They tried to bring a small number of tanks and personnel carriers in through al-Durah but they were surrounded and most of their infidels had their throats cut. "We made them drink poison last night [Sunday] and Saddam Hussein's soldiers and his great forces gave the Americans a lesson which will not be forgotten by history. Truly.

"On this occasion, I am not going to mention the number of the infidels who were killed and the number of destroyed vehicles. The operation continues.

"I can say, and I am responsible for what I am saying, that they have started to commit suicide under the walls of Baghdad. We will encourage them to commit more suicides quickly.

"We defeated them yesterday. God willing, I will provide you with more information. I swear by God, I swear by God, those who are staying in Washington and London have thrown these mercenaries in a crematorium.

"As President Saddam Hussein said: God will roast their stomachs in hell at the hands of Iraqis.

"This is an Arab expression, because the killing which they witnessed yesterday will be a lesson to these mercenaries and to the war criminals in Washington and London.

'Stupid' attack

"Their infidels are committing suicide in their hundreds under the walls of Baghdad. The battle was fierce and God granted his soldiers victory. He granted heroic Iraqis victory. The battle is continuing on the main fronts.

"Be reassured, Baghdad is safe, fortified and great.

"The inhabitants of Baghdad are heroes. They told you that there was fighting at al-Rashid Hotel and the Information Ministry.

"I have heard an al-Jazeera correspondent as if it was confirming that.

"It is unfortunate. I was at the Information Ministry. I went to the al-Rashid Hotel. I salute the soldiers and I salute the Baathists, the heroes. I salute the citizens who came out of their homes with rifles.

"Please, please! The Americans are relying on what I called yesterday a desperate and stupid method.

'Desperate Americans'

"Just look carefully, I only want you to look carefully. Do not repeat the lies of liars. Do not become like them. Once again, I blame al-Jazeera before it ascertains what takes place. Please, make sure of what you say and do not play such a role.

"Search for the truth. I tell you things and I always ask you to verify what I say. I told you yesterday that there was an attack and a retreat at Saddam's airport.

"What have the desperate Americans done? They said that their soldiers have occupied the airport since the beginning of the attack.

"They had their forces at the VIP lounge just to say that leader Saddam Hussein used to frequent this place. See how petty and lowly these Americans are?

"They transformed the issue into an issue of whether Saddam Hussein, this great leader, uses this building or not. Does he use this bed or not?

'Tragedy of their soldiers'

"I believe these servile people deserve contempt only. This is an ongoing war. They attack a country and a people. They have become involved with a brave and fighting people and a strong and ironclad national regime.

"In order to deceive you and deceive me - they believe they can do so - they went to the VIP lounge to divert attention from their villains who were slaughtered on the ground.

"They speak about buildings and walls instead of a VIP lounge. Instead of showing the tragedy of their soldiers, they speak about a lounge - does a lounge represent the dignity of a people?

"Are these the Americans? People remain silent and placate the Americans. By God, they only deserve scorn. We slaughtered them yesterday and we will continue to slaughter them.

"Therefore, please rest assured. We caused you some inconvenience because from this place we destroyed this little number of armoured vehicles and tanks, which came from al-Durah."