"The last thing a leader like Saddam Hussein wants to show is that he is incommunicado and no longer in control," an intelligence source said. "But that is exactly what has happened over the last 36 hours. He has not shown any signs of life." The ABC television network quoted U.S. intelligence sources as saying that the CIA has obtained evidence that Saddam was seen being taken out on a stretcher after his Baghdad home was struck by cruise missiles on Wednesday.

"The latest estimate I received before I left the Ministry of Defence this morning was that perhaps as many as 30 oil wells had been set on fire deliberately," British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon said on Friday. [Later his office revised the figure to seven] "Put into context, that's perhaps not as bad as we feared, because there are many hundreds of oil wells in the southern part of Iraq."

On Friday, the British Broadcasting Corp. reported that U.S. forces captured Iraqi oil fields around the northern city of Kirkuk. Witnesses also reported bombings around the northern Iraqi oil city of Mosul. The Pentagon has also expressed concern that Iraq will open dams and flood areas between Baghdad and Al Kat. The dams regulate the flow of water from the Tigris River from upstream reservoirs. Iraq flooded the area to stop Iranian advances in the 1980-88 war. Pentagon concerns focus on Al Qadisiyah Dam and its Hadiyha Reservoir. "Iraq's strategy could include releasing a small amount of water from major dams and canals to interrupt maneuvering units," a Pentagon statement said on Friday. "The Hussein regime could incorporate the flooding into defensive preparations to slow the advance of coalition forces. This tactic could force coalition units or displaced persons through flooded areas."

CAIRO Ñ Violent demonstrations in support of Iraq were reported in several capitals in the Middle East. Police clashed with Arab demonstrators in such capitals as Gaza City, Sanaa and Jerusalem. Violent protests were also reported in Gulf Cooperation Council states. In Sanaa, Yemeni security forces used tear gas and live fire. Many people were said to have been injured.

In Jerusalem, hundreds of Palestinians marched from the Temple Mount calling on Iraq to fire chemical weapons toward Israel. In Tel Aviv, Israeli authorities held an exercise to test their response to an attack by a chemical weapon missile warhead.

In Jordan, authorities banned all unauthorized demonstrations and have refused to grant permits for political protests. There were no immediate reports of pro-Saddam violence in the Hashemite kingdom as officials warned of a harsh response to any unrest.

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Jordan on alert for Iraqi agents, braces for refugees

AMMAN Ñ Jordan is maintaining a high military and security alert amid the war in Iraq. Officials said authorities have bolstered security in the capital Amman as well as along the eastern border with Iraq. They said the kingdom is concerned over the prospect of attacks by Iraqi agents on British and U.S. installations.

Another leading concern, officials said, is a flood of refugees from Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of people flooded the kingdom during the 1991 Gulf war. So far, about 15,000 people are reported to have crossed from Iran into Jordan.

Jordan's King Abdullah chaired a National Security Council meeting that was said to have focused on internal threats. The official news agency Petra said the council reviewed measures to deal with any emergency.

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U.S. backs Egypt, Jordan, Israel with emergency aid

The United States has approved emergency aid to Egypt, Israel and Jordan. Officials said the Bush administration will announce the aid over the weekend. They said the move is meant to increase support by Middle East allies for the U.S.-led war against Iraq.

Under the administration package, Israel will be the biggest beneficiary of U.S. emergency aid connected to the war against Iraq. Officials said the Bush administration approved a package of $1 billion in grants and $9 billion in loan guarantees.

Egypt will also receive emergency aid for allowing use of its Suez Canal for allied warships moving equipment and weapons to the Persian Gulf. Officials said Egypt will receive $300 million in grants and $2 billion in loans. Jordan will also receive more than $1 billion in grants and loans connected to the war.

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Lebanon military, security agencies on maximum alert

Lebanon has placed its military and security forces on maximum alert amid the U.S.-led war against Iraq. Officials said Lebanon is concerned over the eruption of war with Israel as well as heightened unrest by pro-Iraqi supporters. They said Lebanon is coordinating with Syria over military and security measures.

Lebanese Chief of Staff Gen. Michel Suleiman has ordered the establishment of an operations headquarters that would oversee all military and security contingencies. He also ordered the army to bolster its presence around strategic locations in Lebanon. Officials said the military chief ordered anti-aircraft forces to fire on any unauthorized foreign aircraft. They said the concern is over Israeli air attacks on Hizbullah and Syrian positions in Lebanon.

Lebanon will not use its military for operations along the southern border, officials said. They said the Iranian-backed Hizbullah movement, with an estimated 10,000 rockets in the south, has been authorized to help protect the country from Israeli forces.

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