Regardless of the worsening elements, "the troops are prepared to fight in any weather ... We can also fight at night," said Myers after he and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld concluded a closed door briefing updating US senators about developments in the war.

US-led forces enjoy a clear upperhand in the war, Myers said.

"We can pick and choose our times because right now we're the militarily dominant force on the battlefield," he said.

Even if coalition forces are forced to don cumbersome chemical protective gear, Myers said "it would slow you down a little bit, but it would not stop progress on the battlefield."

Rumsfeld said there were a variety of factors that could affect the duration of the expected street battle to subdue Baghdad.

"It depends on what takes place between now and then, it depends on what happens to the regime, it depends on the extent to which the capabilities of the Iraqi military and the regime are degraded between now and then," he said.

Rumsfeld continued: "It depends on the conviction on the part of the Iraqis people that Saddam Hussein is definitely going to be gone and to degree to which it emboldens them."

After members of the House of Representative received their progress report late Wednesday, California congressman Duncan Hunter, chairman of the house armed services committee pronounced himself pleased.

"The mood of the Congress is to support him (Rumsfeld) very strongly," Hunter said.

"By this rapid armour drive up through the throat of Iraq, we were able to to take bridge and tke other key positions before the Iraqi defenders could blow them," Hunter said.

"That was partly a result of the rapidity of this march and also the surprise element" of what he termed "a very effective operation."

SPACE.WIRE