American bombers led the raids on southern Iraq

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American, British and French fighter jets have carried out a series of bombing raids over southern Iraq.

The Gulf War Allies targeted missile sites and aircraft command and control bases.

The air raids took place early this evening, (1700 GMT) led by American stealth fighter bombers, based in Saudi Arabia.

Planes were also deployed from a US aircraft carrier in the Gulf, and British tornado bombers and French mirage jets joined the attack.

Initial reports suggest the mission was successful and there were no allied casualties.

US President George Bush ordered the attacks to "teach Saddam Hussein a short, sharp lesson".

The Iraqis have repeatedlybreachedthe "no-fly zone" set up after the Gulf War and made a number of military raids over the border into Kuwait.

The Iraqi ambassador to the UN, Nizar Hamdoon, has said the raids into Kuwait will stop.

White House spokesman, Marlin Fitzwater, said: "The government of Iraq should understand that continued defiance of UN security council resolutions will not be tolerated."

He said if the cross-border raids continued, there would further attacks without warning.

The UK Prime Minister, John Major, called the action "limited and proportionate".

He said it would mean British planes could once again operate in safety in the no-fly zone.

The BBC's correspondent in Baghdad, Michael Macmillan, says the air raids are likely to strengthen support for Saddam Hussein.

Sanctions imposed since the Gulf War are biting hard and the Iraqi people support his defiance against the West.

The search for survivors continued into the night

250 bodies have so far been recovered by rescuers.

The quake was felt as 40 seconds of violent movement, followed by a string of powerful aftershocks.

Most deaths occurred in the suburb of Las Colinas, east of San Salvador, where the impact sent thousands of tons of mud crashing down the hillside into the newly-built neighbourhood below.

Many ended up being buried alive and the numbers of deaths was increased by the timing of the quake - a Saturday afternoon, when many people were in their homes.

Bulldozers began the epic task of attempting to clear the rubble but rescuers were overwhelmed by the size of the devastation.

Some were reduced to digging for bodies with their hands.

The rescue effort continued into the night.

American priest Peter Danaher survived the quake.

He said: "Never having experienced an earthquake before. It was a strange feeling to see the earth not moving, but yet throwing us from side to side and almost falling down."

Another man, Reynaldo Maradiaga, described how he started to run when the earthquake began rocking his home.

"I heard a big roar, and I saw the mountain come tumbling down over the houses," he said.

Thousands in El Salvador are now homeless without shelter.

Impromptu services for the dead have already started.

breach: act in disregard of laws and rules（打破，违背）