At least one warplane roared overhead and two massive explosions could be heard. Anti-aircraft gunners swung into action, setting off car alarms in the city centre.

Explosions could also be heard unbated for more than half an hour from Baghdad's southern ring.

The blasts briefly interrupted a news conference being delivered by Information Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahhaf, who said 62 people have been killed since Friday night in the repeated US-led air attacks on Baghdad.

At least one missile overnight crashed into Sahhaf's information ministry. Hospital officials earlier said at least 30 people died Friday when another missile hit a market.

WAR.WIRE