A defiant Saddam Hussein vowed today in a speech to mark the 34th anniversary of the coup that brought his Baath Party to power that the US and its allies would never defeat him.
The July revolution "returns to say to all evil tyrants and oppressors of the world: You will never defeat me this time. Never! Even if you come together from all over the world, and invite all the devils as well, to stand by you, support or incite you," Saddam said.
It also returns "armed with its sword, bow, and spear, carrying its shield or gun and cannon, mounting its tank, or poised in its battle-trench which may, through caution and alertness, save life from schemes, conspiracies, and perfidy," he said.
The revolution "returns to us ... to meet the level of your struggle and your jihad (holy war). But its resolve, this time, is deep-rooted," he warned.
Saddam praised the Iraqi people as they "ably confront injustice and aggression, refusing to allow the arrows of the tyrant and his stooges touch your spirit, your determination, your conviction, your stand, your will and your loyalty."
AFP