Saddam ready for war

[Rob-TheStormChaser]

Saddam Hussein has appeared on Iraqi TV in military uniform after rejecting the US ultimatum to go into exile or face war.

The Iraqi leader last appeared in a military uniform after the Gulf war.

The TV station, as well as state radio, also called on Iraqis to demonstrate across the country to show their support for Saddam.

Later, about 5,000 demonstrators gathered at the Iraqi capital's Al-Mansour area. Many were armed and wore the olive-green uniform of Saddam's Baath party.

Waving portraits of the Iraqi leader, the demonstrators chanted, "We sacrifice ourselves for you Saddam, with our blood and souls!" They carried banners that read, "Saddam is Iraq and Iraq is Saddam."

Smaller demonstrations took place elsewhere in Baghdad, but there were no immediate reports of gatherings elsewhere in Iraq.