Saddam thunders defiance against 'criminal Bush'

"Criminal little Bush has committed crime against humanity," Saddam said in his address to Iraqis.

Iraqi President Saddam Hussein appeared on state television on Thursday, three hours after the United States launched a war to overthrow him, and thundered defiance against US President George W Bush.

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"The criminal little Bush has committed a crime against humanity," he said, wearing military uniform and a black beret.

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He read from a prepared text. It was not possible to be certain that the broadcast was live but it appeared to be fresh.

Saddam's information minister introduced the broadcast, saying a jihad, or holy war, had begun.