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Iraqi group to target U.S. interests

Atul Aneja

DUBAI: A prominent Iraqi group loyal to the former President, Saddam Hussein, has warned that it would strike at American interests worldwide, if its leader was executed.

According to the Arabic daily Al Hayat, the warning was posted on a website owing allegiance to the Ba'ath Socialist Party of Iraq. Several key members of the former Ba'ath party are reportedly operating from Yemen.

The daily also pointed out that several bloody street clashes broke out in Sunni Arab districts of Baghdad following Tuesday's confirmation of the death sentence on Mr. Hussein.

In a day of fast paced developments, at least three bomb blasts rocked the Iraqi capital, killing at least 17 persons.

Meanwhile, some more formalities have been completed ahead of the former President's expected execution. The formal written judgment rejecting Mr. Hussein's appeal against his death sentence has been posted on the official website of the Iraqi High Criminal Court. This would now set in motion the remaining procedures leading to the possible execution within days or weeks.

Aware of the animosity that Mr. Hussein has generated among large sections of Shias and Kurds, his lawyer has appealed that his client should not be handed over to the Shia dominated Iraqi Government. Mr. Hussein's chief attorney, Khalil al-Dulaimi, has appealed to all international and legal organisations including the United Nations and the Arab League, as well as world leaders, to "prevent the American administration from handing the [former] President to the Iraqi authorities."

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