Four tanks and a similar number of personnel carriers with marines seated on top arrived at 4:40 pm (1240 GMT) from the southeast at a huge roundabout with a statue of Saddam Hussein in the middle.

Dozens of journalists came out of the hotel, the media base during the war that entered its 21st day Wednesday, to talk to the marines.

The hatches of the tanks were open with relaxed and smiling crew members exposed, though other marines on foot took up precautionary positions on the pavement.

Few members of the Iraqi public were in sight.

The huge junction, named Al-Fardus (Paradise) Square, has 37 columns surrounding the statue of the Iraqi president with his hand raised pointing towards Jerusalem.

The symbolic moment came just four days after US forces made their first foray into the Iraqi capital following a drive up from the southern border with Kuwait with the aim of ousting Saddam.

On Sunday they encircled the city, before making a new raid in force on Monday, taking over Saddam's main presidential palace, and moving in from different directions Tuesday and Wednesday despite fierce but uncoordinated resistance from Iraqi militia.

SPACE.WIRE