Iraqis to get Saddam soon, says Allawi

8.00am

WASHINGTON - The new Iraqi government expects to take custody of Saddam Hussein as early as this weekend, interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said on Sunday.

Appearing on CNN's Late Edition, Allawi also said the interim government, which is to be formally handed sovereignty by the United States on Wednesday, would announce moves in the coming days to better guarantee Iraqi security, including possible curfews and other emergency measures.

But US Secretary of State Colin Powell, appearing on the same programme, said while the United States may give formal custody of Saddam to the Iraqis, it was likely the deposed Iraqi president would remain in US hands for much longer.

"That's also being worked out," Powell said, making a distinction between "the legal transfer, of who has legal authority and responsibility for him, and then there's physical custody, who can best protect him, but also best keep him from escaping."

"I would expect that legal custody would be handed over shortly, but physical custody would remain in our hands for the foreseeable future," Powell said.

Allawi, in an interview from Baghdad, said he expected the Iraqis to take custody of Saddam "very soon, I think. I can't tell you probably now. It will be either hopefully the 2nd or 3rd of July".

He said documents were being drawn with the governing coalition and the US-led multinational force "and we hope two or three or fourth of July Saddam would be in the custody of the Iraqi people and the Iraq government".

Allawi said his government was also considering measures to better safeguard Iraqis after the transfer of power, including possible offering pardons to people who provide information regarding insurgents.

"We are considering a host of issues. What we are considering is a...defence of public safety law, and our laws to be implemented."

Besides mobilising the Iraqi police force and army, he said the new effort "may include curfews".

"You will hear this in the next two days," he added.

On Saturday Allawi told CBS News that violence could force a delay in national elections due to be held by the end of January. But White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Washington wanted the polls to happen on time.

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq