Iraq's Ambassador: Saddam Hussein's Family Remains in Baghdad

Iraq's Ambassador in Moscow Abbas Khalaf has categorically denied reports alleging that Saddam Hussein's family left Baghdad.

The Ambassador said that such reports were being circulated "according to a command from Washington". "Under no conditions will Saddam Hussein or his family leave their homeland," he emphasised.

Kuwait's Al Watan daily published a report this Saturday that Saddam Hussein's relatives along with the families of his closest entourage had left Iraq for Syria. The newspaper claims that among those who have fled Iraq are the families of Saddam Hussein, Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadam and Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council Ezzat Ibrahim.