"I think this campaign is successful, and that success will be seen in due course when the Iraqi army is defeated in the field," Powell told reporters during a brief visit to Belgrade.

"A great deal has been accomplished in two weeks. Coalition forces have moved to the outskirts of Bagdad, and are now engaging the main Republican Guard units. Pressure has been applied against Iraqi units throughout the country," Powell said.

Earlier Wednesday a US officer told AFP that US forces had taken a bridge over the Euphrates river and crossed over to be within striking distance of Baghdad.

US military sources said the bridge was located 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the Iraqi capital.

"The campaign will be prosecuted to its end. I don't know how long it will take, but I can assure you that we all want to end this as soon as possible, so that we can get on with the task of allowing the Iraqi people to form a new, democratic government," Powell said.

The US secretary of state stopped over in Belgrade on his way to Belgium where he was to hold talks with NATO and European Union officials on Iraq Thursday.

"In Brussels, I will talk to my colleagues in NATO and EU about the campaign and plans of reconstruction, plans of creating an interim authority," Powell said.

"I want to hear ideas from them about reconstruction and contributions the EU will be able to make," he added.

SPACE.WIRE