Saddam executes Iraqi intelligence chief

The British Sunday Telegraph said on Sunday that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein executed the chief of the Iraqi intelligence, Rafee al-Takriti, last week over leaking information about the secrets of the Iraqi weapons and Baghdad's military deals with Russia.

The paper added said "Initial reports in government-owned newspapers said the intelligence chief had been killed in a car crash. It was then reported that he had died of a heart attack in hospital." It added that "information received by Western diplomats" said al-Takreiti "was executed on Monday after an investigation was conducted into how details of secret arms deals between Russia and Iraq were published in the West."

The British paper added that the execution of al-Takreiti reflects a "bitter conflict" over power between Saddam's family members, as al-Takreiti is one of the Iraqi president's cousins.

The paper added that Uday, the son of the Iraqi president, stands behind executing al-Takreiti due to the rivalry over succeeding Saddam Hussein.