Baghdad, Mar 11: With a deadline for war failing to pick up support, Iraq destroyed more al Samoud 2 missiles today in an effort to cement divisions on the UN Security Council and warned that any invaders will find their deaths here. "The tyrants of the evil American administration ... Will meet their black fate at the high gates of Baghdad, where the courageous people of Iraq will teach them a lesson," the government daily 'al-Jumhuriya' said in an editorial today. Hiro Ueki, a spokesman for the UN weapons inspectors, said Iraq was destroying more of the red-and-white missiles today, but it was unclear how many. Since March 1, Iraq has crushed about half its arsenal - 52 of about 100 missiles. Iraq's information ministry said inspectors went to the al-Taji military compound, where the missiles are being crushed with bulldozers, but didn't give details. Other inspection teams went to a Baghdad factory that makes batteries and an aviation office in northern Mosul, it said. More sandbag-reinforced foxholes cropped up on Baghdad streets, and residents dug wells and trenches in their yards. Prices for basic goods like powdered milk, sugar and cooking oil rose sharply as Iraqis stocked up on basic supplies.

The United States and Britain delayed a Security Council vote on whether to give Saddam Hussein an ultimatum to disarm or face war when it became clear the proposal would almost certainly be rejected.

They signaled they might be willing to compromise to win support from Security Council members reluctant to rush to war. Permanent members France and Russia have threatened to vote against the current version of the resolution.

Bureau Report