Hoon told a press conference in London that the British troops would stay in the central part of the Iraqi second largest city to improve "real security."

Meanwhile, he said he was unsure of the location of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his sons but that there were strong indications showing "Chemical Ali," Saddam's cousin and commander of the southern region, was dead.

"We are still not sure of the location of either Saddam Hussein or his sons -- there are reports beginning to come in as to the whereabouts of some of those three," Hoon said.

"As far as Ali Hassan al-Majid is concerned, we have some strong indications that he was killed...but I can't yet absolutely confirm the fact."

He also said there were signs of civilians turning on militia in Basra as "some of the resistance are continuing."

About 200 British tanks rolled into the southern Iraqi city of Basra on Monday morning, reportedly having controlled the central part of the city.

(Xinhua News Agency April 8, 2003)