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 is "very good news for the people of Iraq".
"It removes the shadow that has been hanging over them for too long of the nightmare of a return to the Saddam regime," Mr Blair said.
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. He was asleep at the time.
DNA tests have been carried out and the 66-year-old's identity confirmed. Three members of the Iraqi Governing Council have been invited to go to Tikrit at 1pm GMT to visually identify him.
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.
The president of the Iraqi Governing Council said Saddam was wearing a false beard in disguise at the time.
Ace of spades: Most wanted
Ahmad Chalabi, a leader of the Iraqi National Congress (INC), has said Saddam, who was captured without resistance, 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.
Saddam was at the top of the US most wanted list, appearing as the "ace of spades" in the pack of cards depicting former Iraqi leaders.
Washington put a $25m reward on his head.
Saddam's sons Uday and Qusay Hussein were killed in a raid in July.
Last Updated: 11:44 UK, Sunday December 14, 2003
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