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Saddam's execution 'within days' Saddam's execution 'within days'
(30 minutes later)
US diplomats around the world have been warned to prepare for the execution of Saddam Hussein within days.US diplomats around the world have been warned to prepare for the execution of Saddam Hussein within days.
The US State Department cabled all embassies, and also denied reports that Iraq's former leader had already been transferred to Iraqi custody.The US State Department cabled all embassies, and also denied reports that Iraq's former leader had already been transferred to Iraqi custody.
The cable comes on a day of feverish speculation about his fate.The cable comes on a day of feverish speculation about his fate.
Iraq's prime minister has said there will be no reprieve for Saddam Hussein, whose final appeal against his death sentence was turned down on Tuesday.Iraq's prime minister has said there will be no reprieve for Saddam Hussein, whose final appeal against his death sentence was turned down on Tuesday.
No official details have been made public about when the death sentence will be carried out.No official details have been made public about when the death sentence will be carried out.
But the State Department urged all embassies to increase security in case the execution takes place over the weekend.
Under Iraqi law Saddam Hussein could be hanged at any time over the next four weeks, although one judge said he would die on Friday or Saturday.Under Iraqi law Saddam Hussein could be hanged at any time over the next four weeks, although one judge said he would die on Friday or Saturday.
Defence lawyers have lodged an appeal in a US court asking a judge to block his execution, arguing that his trial violated rights under the US constitution.
The BBC's Adam Brookes, in Washington says the Bush administration is keen to portray the process leading up to Saddam's execution as a matter purely for the Iraqi government and its court system.
Maximum securityMaximum security
Earlier on Friday, Saddam Hussein's lawyers earlier said they were notified that he had been transferred to Iraqi custody, an assertion then denied by the US. Earlier on Friday, Saddam Hussein's lawyers said they were notified that he had been transferred to Iraqi custody, an assertion then denied by the US.
"There has been no change in his status," US State Department spokesman Tom Casey said late on Friday."There has been no change in his status," US State Department spokesman Tom Casey said late on Friday.
It is thought he will remain in US custody until the execution is carried out.It is thought he will remain in US custody until the execution is carried out.
When he is taken to the gallows Saddam Hussein will be nominally transferred to Iraqi custody, but the US will continue guarding him to maintain maximum security.When he is taken to the gallows Saddam Hussein will be nominally transferred to Iraqi custody, but the US will continue guarding him to maintain maximum security.
No-one can oppose the decision to execute the criminal Saddam Nouri MalikiIraqi Prime Minister According to AP news agency, a senior Iraqi government official said a meeting would be held on Friday evening to set a time for the execution. No-one can oppose the decision to execute the criminal Saddam Nouri MalikiIraqi Prime Minister According to the AP news agency, a senior Iraqi government official said a meeting would be held on Friday evening to set a time for the execution.
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 are now understood to have been cleared and that if anything is likely to hold up the execution, it will be administrative details.The BBC's Peter Greste in Baghdad says all the legal hurdles are now understood to have been cleared and that if anything is likely to hold up the execution, it will be administrative details.
Some reports say doubt remains over whether the execution could be carried out before the Islamic holiday of Eid, which begins at noon on Saturday (0900 GMT).
'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. It is not clear whether he is still being held there as his execution approaches.
His lawyers said they had been asked to collect Saddam Hussein's personal effects on Friday.His lawyers said they had been asked to collect Saddam Hussein's personal effects on Friday.
Attacks are a daily occurrence in post-Saddam BaghdadAttacks are a daily occurrence in post-Saddam Baghdad
Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said there would be no delay in carrying out the death sentence.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 news agency as saying."No-one can oppose the decision to execute the criminal Saddam," Mr Maliki was quoted by AFP news agency 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."
Mr Maliki has always said he wanted to see the former leader hanged before the end of the year.Mr Maliki has always said he wanted to see the former leader hanged before the end of the year.
Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death by an Iraqi court on 5 November after a year-long trial over the killings of 148 Shias from the village of Dujail in the 1980s.Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death by an Iraqi court on 5 November after a year-long trial over the killings of 148 Shias from the village of Dujail in the 1980s.
A trial in a second case, alleging genocide against Kurds, continues against him.A trial in a second case, alleging genocide against Kurds, continues against him.
The former Iraqi leader was captured by US troops on 13 December 2004, after a tip-off.The former Iraqi leader was captured by US troops on 13 December 2004, after a tip-off.
He was found hiding in a tiny cellar at a farmhouse near his hometown of Tikrit.He was found hiding in a tiny cellar at a farmhouse near his hometown of Tikrit.