Tikrit on the Brink of Collapse.

As U.S. forces pushed into the city on Monday, the fall of Tikrit, a city where Saddam Hussein’s loyal followers have set up their last resistance lines is in its final stages.

Hence, major battles between U.S. and British coalition forces and Iraqi forces have nearly come to an end but remnants of Iraqi troops are expected to continue sporadic fighting in the cities.

Backed by warplanes and helicopters, U.S. marines in armored vehicles pushed into Tikrit. The city is not only President Saddam Hussein’s hometown but is also the last major area of resistance for his loyal followers.

On the previous day, 22 tribal leaders of Tikrit notified U.S. forces that they were willing to mediate surrender negotiations for Iraqi paramilitary fighters. U.S. forces though refused. Commanding officers of U.S. forces said the remaining soldiers in Tikrit still number around 2,500.

U.S. forces, in cooperation with Iraqi volunteers, commenced efforts to restore order in order to stop the chaotic looting and lawlessness in Iraqi cities. In Baghdad, hundreds of residents and U.S. soldiers collected dead bodies, patrolled the streets and restored electricity. Baghdad is slowly beginning to return to normal again as some shops have reopened and buses connecting Baghdad and cities around capital resumed operations.

President George W. Bush repeatedly urged Syria on Sunday after last weekend not to harbor Iraqi leaders.

Although Bush said that he still believes there are chemical weapons in Syria, he implied that the U.S. is not likely to attack Syria by saying that “each situation requires a different response.”

While coalition forces are hurrying to establish the transitional government, an emergency meeting of foreign ministers of the Arab League will be held in a few days to discuss issues on the establishment of a postwar Iraqi government at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, said sources on Sunday.

However, as some Arab countries including countries in the Gulf region claim that the new Iraqi government should consist purely of Iraqis, conflict with the Bush administration is expected as the new government includes the use of U.S. personnel.

Eun-Taek Hong euntack@donga.com