"It is now 14 days since the coalition forces entered Iraq and they are closing in on Baghdad," he said at a Pentagon news conference.

"They are closer to the center of the Iraqi capital capital than many American commuters are to their downtown businesses," he said.

"Key bridges over the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers have been taken by coalition forces. This, of course, eases the approach to Baghdad," he said.

"As the coalition continues to close on Baghdad, there likely will be difficult days ahead. But the regime is under increasing pressure. Their Republican Guard forces are being defeated by coalition air strikes and by effective ground engagements," Rumsfeld said.

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