Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on Friday may well have raised the morale of his people sky high when he appeared in public, greeting them and examining wreckage of the aerial bombardment by US forces.

Around 2300 IST, television channels began airing videos of the Iraqi president walking in the streets of Baghdad.

Hussein could be seen rousing the people, some of whom tried to kiss him, shake his hands and touch him.

His minders were having a difficult time managing the crowd.

The Iraqi leader is being seen in public after a long time.

Hours back, Information Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahhaf had warned of a non-conventional attack on the Americans