A pause of four to six days has been ordered in US-led forces' advance towards Baghdad following shortages in supplies and stiff Iraqi resistance.

Top US commanders said some serious logistical problems have cropped up. "We need to tackle these before we restart the march towards Baghdad," a commnder said.

Another reason why the allied forces have decided to stop for a breather is the stiff resitance they are facing from Iraq's army and its irregular forces.