The American colonel, who was not named, sat down with ICRC representatives in Baghdad after the aid group called the humanitarian situation "catastrophic" due to widespread pillaging in the capital, which was conquered by US forces Wednesday.

The source, who asked to remain anonymous, said the colonel expressed shock when he learned that Baghdad medical facilities had been sacked by roving bands and that Iraqi authorities had not put a stop to the chaos.

Iraqi police officers, out in force in the capital until Baghdad fell, vanished with the appearance of the US troops and nearly all the city's police stations have been ransacked.

US forces have said they are still bringing order to Baghdad and have put a first priority on securing civilian infrastructure.

The ICRC launched an urgent appeal Friday to coalition forces and "all other people in authority" in Iraq to protect crucial infrastructure against attack and destruction.

The organization halted operations after one of its staff members was killed in crossfire in the east of the Iraqi capital on Tuesday.

ICRC spokeswoman Antonella Notari said Friday at the Geneva headquarters that the remaining team of five foreign workers and several dozen Iraqi staff was trying to visit Baghdad hospitals on Thursday to restore electricity and clean water and provide medical supplies.

But conditions deteriorated sharply during the day, with the ICRC reporting "unprecedented levels" of looting and attacks on hospitals which were hampering aid and stopping people reaching medical care.

"It's a de facto occupation. As soon as there is control of certain part of the territory, as an occupation force you become responsible for the security and well-being of the population," Notari said.

SPACE.WIRE