The meeting, which included Saddam's younger son Qussay, commander of the elite Republican Guard, covered means of "resisting the invaders" and "preparing for combat and mobilizing to confront the aggression in light of announced plans to that effect," the channel reported, quoting an official statement.

The plans take into consideration "all the possibilities...of a decisive battle between the forces of law and justice on the one hand and the American-Zionist and British forces of tyranny and hegemony on the other."

The report said that the Iraqi army would "be able to resist the invaders, inflict heavy losses on them and achieve victory so that Iraq remains free."

US President George W. Bush gave Saddam and his two sons 48 hours to go into exile or face war, in a televised speech late Monday.

WAR.WIRE