* U.S. Marines backed by tanks seize Tikrit, effectively
sealing U.S., British victory in the Iraq war
* Rumsfeld says Syria carried out chemical weapons tests in
last 12-15 months, let Iraqis enter its territory; Powell says
U.S. will examine possible diplomatic, economic or other
measures against Syria; White House calls Syria "a rogue nation"
* Syria denies it has chemical weapons, says it never
cooperated with Saddam's administration
* Iraq's main Shi'ite opposition group says will boycott
U.S.-sponsored meeting Tuesday to map country's political future
* Saudi Arabia plans first regional emergency meeting on
Iraq since war began

QUOTES
Rumsfeld: "I would say that we have seen chemical weapons
tests in Syria over the past 12, 15 months."
Powell: "With respect to Syria, of course we will examine
possible measures of a diplomatic, economic or other nature as
we move forward."
Syrian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman: "Syria has no chemical
weapons and that the only chemical, biological and nuclear
weapons in the region are in Israel, which is threatening its
neighbours and occupying their land."

EVENTS (TIMES IN GMT)
Tuesday -
* Straw visits Qatar, Saudi Arabia
* U.S. convenes meeting of Iraqis in Nassiriya to discuss a
postwar administration in Iraq
* Schroeder, Blair meet in Hanover

Wednesday/Thursday -
* Annan attends EU leaders' meeting in Athens, to meet
Blair, Chirac, Schroeder

CASUALTIES
* U.S. - 119 killed, 4 missing
* Britain - 30 killed
* Iraqi military - more than 2,320, according to U.S.
military. Iraq has given no figures for its military losses
* Iraqi civilians (Iraqi estimates up to April 3) - 1,254
killed, 5,112 wounded

MILITARY ACTION
NORTHERN IRAQ - U.S. Marines backed by tanks and helicopters
enter Saddam's final stronghold, seizing control of his home
town Tikrit.
BAGHDAD - U.S. Marines exchange fire with snipers near the
Palestine Hotel for several minutes, capture three men. U.S.
troops set up round-the-clock patrols in some quarters; More
than 2,000 Iraqi policemen report back to work.
CENTRAL IRAQ - Aides to Iraq's top Shi'ite Muslim cleric,
Ayatollah Sistani, say armed siege of his home has ended and
tribal leaders in control of the city.
SOUTHERN IRAQ - British military has moved to policy of zero
tolerance on looting in Basra. U.S. spokesman says British
forces have taken over from U.S. 1st Marine Division at Amarah,
extending area of British control from Basra.
GULF - U.S. carriers USS Kitty Hawk, USS Constellation have
received orders to leave the Gulf in coming days, Navy officials
say. That will leave three carriers in waters near Iraq.