Ramadan, quoted on Iraqi satellite television, ordered "large financial aid" to be paid to civilians and fighters, effective from the start of the war on March 20.

In another populist move, Saddam also wants compensation paid to owners of homes destroyed by "the bombardments of the criminals", he said, without specifying amounts.

Iraq's government and official media have given various casualty figures for different parts of the country, often without specifying a time period or distinguishing between civilian and military losses.

An analysis of figures given by Baghdad indicates a minimum of 472 and a maximum of 844 Iraqis killed, and between 4,399 and 5,994 wounded.

SPACE.WIRE