"He is currently in Baghdad and he is meeting with his commanders," Lieutenant-Colonel Jeff Fanto (eds: correct) said.

Centcom declined to give further details on the visit, on day 28 of the war launched on March 20 to bring down Saddam Hussein's regime. US forces entered Baghdad a week ago after driving up from Kuwait in a lightning campaign.

On Sunday, Franks told Fox News television the trip would have "the purpose of seeing my people."

"My view is that a commander goes where he can see the eyes of the people who are doing the hard work," Franks continued.

"Last week I went to An Najaf and I went to Al Kut and I went to other places inside Iraq and that -- and I did that because I wanted to see how the operation was going.

"I'm not looking to have a victory parade in downtown Baghdad, I'm not looking to make some sort of a statement, but I am looking to have the best appreciation of what's going on in that country that I can have because it's my responsibility to do that, Franks said.

SPACE.WIRE