Iraqi defence minister denies arrest of Saddam's aide

11.45am

BEIRUT - Iraq's Defence Minister Hazim al-Shalaan said on Sunday reports on the capture of Izzat Ibrahim al Douri, the most wanted Saddam Hussein aide, were baseless.

"We don't have any information regarding this issue. What has been said of a statement by the Defence Ministry is baseless," he told Lebanon's LBC television channel.

The Defence Ministry in Baghdad had said Ibrahim, who was sixth on a US list of the 55 most wanted members of Saddam's administration and had a $10 million price on his head, was arrested in Tikrit, Saddam's former powerbase north of Baghdad.

"The joint forces carried out combing operations and struck at terrorist positions," Shalaan said.

"They captured many terrorists and there are rumours that Izzat al Douri or someone who looks like him is among them, but we don't have any specific information regarding Izzat al Douri."

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq