US forces are yet to find conclusive proof that Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction, but thousands of sites remain to be searched, its top commander said on Sunday.

"I have not found any that I have absolutely satisfied myself are weapon of mass destruction materials," General Tommy Franks told CNN in an interview at the Central Command war headquarters in Qatar.

"But you're talking about 2,000, perhaps 3,000, places in this country where we know we're going to go and investigate each one of them."

The United States and Britain invaded Iraq on March 20, saying Saddam Hussein had failed to declare banned weapons.

But there has been no chemical or biological attack against invading troops, and no confirmed discovery of banned weapons has been reported.

After more than three weeks of fighting, US-led forces have arrested just one senior Iraqi official -- Saddam's top scientific adviser, General Amer Hammoudi al-Saadi, who handed himself in to the new military authorities on Saturday.

US intelligence officials believe he could be the key to unlocking secrets about Iraq's weapons programmes. But Saadi insisted Iraq had no banned chemical or biological arms.

There is speculation that senior Iraqi figures might have escaped to neighbouring Syria. Washington warned Damascus not to become a haven for Saddam's supporters or for 'terrorists'.

"Now that the regime has gone in Baghdad, we hope that Syria will understand there is an opportunity for a better way for them, if they would stop supporting terrorist activities, and we hope the Syrians will respond accordingly," US Secretary of State Colin Powell told BBC television.

But Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq al-Shara said accusations that Damascus had helped Saddam's government and provided military assistance to Baghdad were baseless.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 11 Sub: is saddan dead I PERSONAL,don't think so because he has many of places to hide.some of his places were hit,and when they hit Saddan moved on to another ... Posted by cindy Sub: RE:No WMDs as yet: US commander First of all, this was not a insult to humanity or Iraqis. If Saddam does not have WMD right now, when US and Britain went ... Posted by Courtney Sub: Saddam will strike in future Its too early to tell what has happened to the WMD. I think Saddam still has them. He will use them in his own good ... Posted by Another American Person Sub: Attack on Baghdad on the basis of WMD'S and Sadaam as tyrant Dear Sir, The American's and the British attacked Baghdad on the basis of WMD's which were not found.The same people who r now looking for ... Posted by MA.WADHAWAN Sub: RE:No WMDs as yet: US commander You ask why the US will not impeach Bush. This is because they feel that Bush was doing what was right. Can you understand why ... Posted by An American