The U.S. military said Monday that Saddam Hussein's brother-in-law, an Iraqi intelligence agent who is on a U.S. blacklist of former Iraqi officials, had been in U.S. custody since Friday.
The U.S. Central Command (Centcom), which controls U.S. military operations in Iraq and the Gulf, said in a statement that US-led forces had captured Luay Khayrallah, who is also a companion of the ousted Iraqi leader's son Uday.
It did not say where he was captured but said he was No. 152 on a U.S. list of wanted Iraqis.
Meanwhile, according to former Iraqi generals returned from exile, Saddam is hiding in Iraq with a small group, probably including his sons, and issuing orders to trusted supporters as he plots a return to power.
The generals, who were in exile for years and now play a key role in working with U.S. forces said the deposed president had ordered a name-change for his Baath party.
Maj. Gen. Tawfiq al-Yassiri told Reuters that Saddam had changed its name in the last few days to "Auda," meaning return.
"Saddam used his authority as the secretary-general of the party. He is hiding with a small group that probably includes his two sons," said Yassiri, who helped lead a rebellion against Saddam in 1991.
"Saddam Hussein prepared for every eventuality, including the total collapse of his regime. He does not leave anything to chance and has ample means of communication," Yassiri said.
"He uses different tools at his disposal to issue orders for his followers to spread chaos."
The general said most old Baath leaders were gone, but a new generation, including sons of the old guard, was helping Saddam. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
