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US President George W. Bush's ultimatum to Iraq has run out while Iraqi leaders described the possible war as a "bloody" and "long" one -- suggesting war is imminent.
Although there is no sign of an immediate attack against Baghdad, US and British troops have moved into position on Iraqi-Kuwaiti borders, ready to launch military actions.
At a UN meeting Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed sadness for the loss of chance for a peaceful solution to the crisis.
Most of foreign reporters, including US and British journalists, have just evacuated their headquarters in the Iraqi Information Ministry, the Abu Dhabi TV channel reported on Thursday
The building of the information ministry, where the press center is located, is believed to be one of the first potential targets to be hit by US and British warplanes during an imminent US-led war on Iraq.
CNN, the only American TV network left in Baghdad to cover the war, has also moved out of the building to minimize the risk of being hit by US warplanes.
Late Wednesday, US and British warplanes hit targets near the southern Iraqi cities of Fao and Basra in joint bombing strikes late Wednesday.
Three blasts rocked the southern city of Fao, which is the southernmost city of Iraq and near the border with Iran, according to the Iranian News Agency.
The explosions were heard in an Iranian city adjacent to the Iraqi-Iranian border.
Meanwhile, the London-base Sky News television said targets around Basra were hit in the joint raids hours before 0100 GMT ultimatum expired.
(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2003)
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