http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/...1115282,00.html

SADDAM CAPTURED IN RAID

Tony Blair has confirmed that former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has been captured alive in his home town of Tikrit.


Mr Blair, who has returned to Downing Street from Chequers, said in a statement that Saddam was seized last night.

The British Prime Minister said the arrest "removes the shadow" of his return from Iraq and "gives an opportunity for Saddam to be tried in Iraqi courts".

Reports say Saddam was "dug out of a cellar" from a house in a poverty-stricken area during a raid by US forces, backed by Kurdish troops.

DNA tests have been carried out and the 66-year-old's identity confirmed.

Saddam, who had been on the run since the US took Baghdad on April 9, was apparently found at around 4am with a suitcase containing half a million dollars worth of cash.

Ahmad Chalabi, leader of the Iraqi National Congress (INC), has said he will probably be put on trial.

A spokesman for the INC said: "We are 100% sure Saddam has been detained by American forces."

A top Iraqi official said US administrator Paul Bremer called Iraqi leaders by telephone to tell them the news.

The US Defence Department is still refusing to confirm the reports but a press conference has been announced for 12pm GMT.

In Baghdad, a spokeswoman for the US-led operation notified reporters that a "very important" announcement will be made at the press conference. It is not known who the speaker will be.

The news is spreading around Iraq rapidly and hundreds of exultant people have taken to the streets of Kirkuk and Baghdad firing weapons into the air in celebration.





If i had a gun right now, i think id be firing it in the air too!!

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