"The reception by the Iraqis was very warm and this was a big surprise to us. People are very nice," Staff Sergeant Daniel Attilio told AFP in Baghdad's Al-Fardus (Paradise) Square.

"It is really impressive to be in Baghdad. It is nothing like we imagined," said the Houston-born Attilio in the shadow of a huge statue of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Attilio, a section leader for one of the amphibious assault vehicles that was one of the armoured column that rumbled into the square in the late afternoon, did say however that the advance to Baghdad had been "difficult at times."

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

Dozens of journalists came out of the hotel, their 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.

Some Iraqi children plucked flowers to give to the US soldiers, who posed for photographs, while young men waved t-shirts before turning their efforts to demolishing the Saddam statue.

"I never expected to see myself in Baghdad and I never expected such a warm welcome," said Sergeant Grant Zaidz.

"We did not face any resistance whatsoever today. We just strolled in," the 20-year-old from Oregon said.

SPACE.WIRE