04/07/2003

Saddam 'alive' according to Al-Jazeera tape

The Arabic news broadcaster Al-Jazeera has released an audio tape today purporting to be the voice of Saddam Hussein saying that he is alive and well.

The tape, which is alleged to have been recorded on June 14, was released one day after the US announced $25 million reward for anyone who could offer information revealing the Iraqi dictator's whereabouts.

It has been reported that Al-Jazeera received the 20-minute recording earlier today.

The US launched the war in Iraq with a pre-emptive "decapitation" cruise missile strike against the Iraqi leadership on March 20.

Saddam Hussein apparently survived that bombing and a second strike at a Baghdad restaurant on April 7 – two days before the capital fell to the Americans. That was the last known sighting of the Iraqi leader.

Elsewhere today the US fought off an ambush north of Baghdad killing 11 Iraqi gunmen. There are no reports of any US casualties.

(GMcG)

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