"The whole world is undoubtedly seeing the American cowboys as having come only for one aim; killing, destruction and bloodshed," said Al-Madina newspaper in a hard-hitting editorial.

"The scenes of killing and destruction coming out from Iraqi cities ... recall the American massacres in Vietnam, which have remained a stigma in the history of the United States," the paper said.

"The war banner 'Iraqi Freedom', made by the Pentagon strategists, appears to be in total contradiction with the massacres," which also shocked some British soldiers, the daily added.

Al-Jazirah warned the war could spread to other countries in the region following US warnings to both Syria and Iran against support for the beleauguered leadership in neighbouring Iraq.

"There are indications which suggest that the fire of war can spread to the neighbouring states. The United States has already accused Syria and Iran of playing a role in the war," the paper said.

Al-Riyadh newspaper launched a scathing attack on US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, saying he resembled Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini as well as Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

"If you look at the grim face of Rumsfeld, one can see the pictures of Saddam, Hitler and Mussolini, and the arrogance of a man who rose from the bottom of society to become a star looking down at others," it said.

The daily said Rumsfeld has no "standards of respecting his word ... and represents the mentality of a typical cowboy who lets his gun speaks for him."

SPACE.WIRE