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Allawi visits troops outside Fallujah ahead of major battle
AFP: 11/8/2004

NEAR FALLUJAH, Nov 8 (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi paid a surprise visit to his troops outside Fallujah Monday, shortly before US and Iraqi forces began a massive bombardment of the city.

While at Camp Fallujah, a US base outside the Sunni Muslim bastion, Allawi was asked when the curfew would start.

"In half an hour at six (1500 GMT)," he said, looking at his watch. "And after that the operations against the terrorist elements will start at any time."

Subsequently, US forces began intense shelling across Fallujah.

11/08/2004 16:45 GMT - AFP