"US forces now control the major routes," Hoon told the House of Commons, as fighting raged in Baghdad following an advance by US troops into the heart of the Iraqi capital.

"The Iraqi people will soon be rid of Saddam Hussein, his barbaric regime and the suffering he has visited on them," Hoon added.

The defence secretary said that British forces now had access to all parts of the key southern city of Basra and that soldiers were being "warmly received by crowds of local people".

Hoon told MPs: "The pace of events over the past few days has been remarkable but it will take time for the Iraqi people to adjust to the rapidly changing circumstances... We must all be patient, as there are many difficult and dangerous challenges lying ahead."

Battles flared on Monday at Saddam's sprawling Republican Palace in the capital and near the landmark al-Rashid hotel after US tanks and armoured personnel carriers moved in from the west and US Marines advanced from the southeast.

SPACE.WIRE