The aid was ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd to help alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people hit hard by the US-led war.

Health sectors of various government departments in the Kingdom, including the Defense and Aviation Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the National Guard, are taking part in the relief operations.

The Saudi field hospital in Baghdad, the second largest in the world, started receiving patients soon after it was set up. The hospital is located at the Faculty of Pharmacology in Mustansariya University, south of Baghdad.

On the first day, the hospital treated 30 patients and conducted 28 minor and serious operations. The hospital was receiving all types of cases.

Its operation room is manned by three Saudi experts supported by 16 assistants. They conducted two operations at the same time. The hospital is equipped with advanced facilities including equipment to monitor heart functions.

Doctors expect the number of patients at the hospital will increase in the coming days, when more people are aware of its presence.

Most patients treated at the hospital were suffering from blood cancer, diabetes, blood pressure and burns. Also treated were two serious cases: A heart patient and another with a blood tumor.

Meanwhile, Saudi Television will launch a telethon today to raise money to help the Iraqis. The fund-raising campaign will start in the afternoon.

The Saudi Committee for the Relief of Iraqi People has held a number of meetings to discuss ways to collect donations and distribute relief aid among the Iraqis.

The committee has urged Saudis and expatriates to cooperate with the fund-raising campaign by donating generously. A joint account, No. 111 at National Commercial Bank, has been set up to receive donations.

Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, had instructed Saudi hospitals to treat the Iraqis suffering from chronic diseases.

Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, has ordered the transportation of an Iraqi child suffering from brain tumor for treatment at a hospital in Riyadh.