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Saddam Hussein 'in Iraqi hands' US denies Saddam handed to Iraqis
(40 minutes later)
Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has been handed over to the Iraqi authorities ahead of his execution, his lawyers say they have been told. US officials have denied reports that former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has been transferred to Iraqi custody ahead of his execution.
"The American side has notified us that they have handed over the president to the Iraqi authorities," lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi said, quoted by Reuters. Saddam Hussein's lawyers earlier said they had been notified of his handover to the Iraqi authorities.
This follows intense speculation about the timing of the execution, with some reports that it is imminent. This follows intense speculation about the timing of his execution, with some reports that it may be imminent.
Neither the US or Iraqi authorities have confirmed the handover. Details have not been made public and may be revealed only afterwards to avoid civil disruption and unrest.
The time and location of the hanging has not been made public - and may be revealed only after the former president is dead to avoid civil disruption and unrest. "There has been no change in his (Saddam Hussein's) status," US State Department spokesman Tom Casey said.
Saddam Hussein could be hanged at any time over the next four weeks, although one judge quoted by the Associated Press said he would die on Friday or Saturday.Saddam Hussein could be hanged at any time over the next four weeks, although one judge quoted by the Associated Press said he would die on Friday or Saturday.
A senior official from the state department told the BBC a diplomatic cable had been sent to all US embassies warning them to prepare for Saddam Hussein's execution within days.
US forces in Iraq are braced for any backlash following the execution, defence department officials said.US forces in Iraq are braced for any backlash following the execution, defence department officials said.
The BBC's Peter Greste in Baghdad says all the legal hurdles have now understood to have been cleared and that if anything is likely to hold up the execution, it would be administrative details.
An appeal against Saddam Hussein's execution for the killings of 148 Shias in Dujail in the 1980s failed earlier this week.An appeal against Saddam Hussein's execution for the killings of 148 Shias in Dujail in the 1980s failed earlier this week.
He was sentenced to death by an Iraqi court on 5 November.
'Dignity of victims''Dignity of victims'
The former Iraqi leader has been in US military custody at Camp Cropper in Baghdad.The former Iraqi leader has been in US military custody at Camp Cropper in Baghdad.
Earlier on Friday his lawyers said they had been asked to dispose of Saddam Hussein's personal effects. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said there would be no delay in carrying out the death sentence.Earlier on Friday his lawyers said they had been asked to dispose of Saddam Hussein's personal effects. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said there would be no delay in carrying out the death sentence.
"No-one can oppose the decision to execute the criminal Saddam," Mr Maliki was quoted by AFP as saying."No-one can oppose the decision to execute the criminal Saddam," Mr Maliki was quoted by AFP as saying.
"Those who reject the execution of Saddam are undermining the dignity of Iraq's martyrs.""Those who reject the execution of Saddam are undermining the dignity of Iraq's martyrs."
Another lawyer told the BBC that Saddam Hussein's half-brothers Sabawi Ibrahim and Watban Ibrahim - also in prison - were taken to visit him on Thursday. Our Baghdad correspondent says the timing is significant: Mr Maliki has always said he wanted to see the former leader hanged before the end of the year, and Saturday is also the first day of the Muslim Eid festival, when most Iraqis will be at home.
A trial in a second case, genocide against Kurds, continues against Saddam Hussein. Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death by an Iraqi court on 5 November after a lengthy trial.
A trial in a second case, genocide against Kurds, continues against him.