Public affairs officer Corporal John Hoellwarth said the 15 hospitals were in addition to the 14 that re-opened on Tuesday and would be guarded by a combination of local police, Marines and a neighbourhood watch program.

"The mobile phones will not be offered to the general public but 500 will be distributed to key people to handle emergencies," he said.

"We have also made a full assessment of the city's telecommunications network and found that between 90 and 95 percent of the infrastructure is still good."

Hoellwarth said the military hoped to repair two or three power stations which would provide electricity to some sectors of Baghdad while meetings were scheduled to help re-establish the capital's fire department.

US Marines in charge of Baghdad since the ousting of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein last week have come under increased public pressure to restore the city's infrastructre, devastated by US bombings.

Baghdad has been without electricity since April 4.

"Another 12 joint marine and local police patrols will be orchestrated to secure key infrastructure sites in the city," Hoellwarth said.

SPACE.WIRE