Uday's hard heart revealed in letters

The looted palace of Saddam Hussein's older son Uday reveals a playboy lifestyle and a heart hardened against his father.

"My father wants to go down in history, but his heart is finished from any kindness," Uday, 39, wrote in an undated letter. "I have nothing in my heart towards my father, not any love or kindness."

Reports this week said the looters stripped the palace of valuables but left ample evidence of Uday's extravagance, including receipts from his 1989 New Year's party, which showed the revellers downed 12 bottles of gin, 11 cases of beer, plus vodka and champagne. There were also burned corners of US$100 and US$50 bills. Said a neighbour: "He used those to light his cigars."

There are love letters from multiple girlfriends, one sealed with a lipstick kiss. "Remember me when you listen to Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, which I heard for the first time with you," reads one.

Herald Feature: Iraq war