CONFUSION OVER AZIZ CLAIMS SKY NEWS

Tariq Aziz's son has denied a claim Iraq's former deputy prime minister has died in US custody.

Arab news station al Arabiya had reported Saddam Hussein's former number two had died.


But both Ziad Aziz and the US military insisted the captive was alive and in good health.

Al Arabiya had quoted sources in the International Committee of the Red Cross for its story.

The charity said it had no reports of his death, but fellow Arabic channel al Jazeera claimed the Vatican had also confirmed the death of committed Christian Aziz.

However, a spokesman for the US-led prisons authority in Iraq said: "I can confirm that Tariq Aziz is alive; he was alive five minutes ago.

"There is no change in his status and he is in our custody."

Tariq Azis was one of the most prominent and most public figures of Saddam's old regime.

He regularly appeared on television promoting the Iraqi leader during both conflicts.

In April last year, the longest-serving member of Saddam's regime surrendered to Coalition custody.





Last Updated: 15:19 UK, Saturday October 09, 2004

I think its important to realise that now Iraq is becoming fundamental Islam. Ok ,Saddam Hussein may have been a gangster, but he was what was needed in Iraq. Saddam was trying to build a non-secular country.

His 'second in command' was Tariq Aziz, a very educated man who is a devout christian.

Latest news suggests that Mr. Aziz has been found dead in US control.

CONFUSION OVER AZIZ CLAIMS SKY NEWS

Tariq Aziz's son has denied a claim Iraq's former deputy prime minister has died in US custody.

Arab news station al Arabiya had reported Saddam Hussein's former number two had died.


But both Ziad Aziz and the US military insisted the captive was alive and in good health.

Al Arabiya had quoted sources in the International Committee of the Red Cross for its story.

The charity said it had no reports of his death, but fellow Arabic channel al Jazeera claimed the Vatican had also confirmed the death of committed Christian Aziz.

However, a spokesman for the US-led prisons authority in Iraq said: "I can confirm that Tariq Aziz is alive.

"There is no change in his status and he is in our custody."

Tariq Azis was one of the most prominent and most public figures of Saddam's old regime.

He regularly appeared on television promoting the Iraqi leader during both conflicts.

In April last year, the longest-serving member of Saddam's regime surrendered to Coalition custody.





Last Updated: 22:13 UK, Saturday October 09, 2004

I think its important to realise that now Iraq is becoming fundamental Islam. Ok ,Saddam Hussein may have been a gangster, but he was what was needed in Iraq. Saddam was trying to build a non-secular country.

His 'second in command' was Tariq Aziz, a very educated man who is a devout christian.

Latest news suggests that Mr. Aziz has been found dead in US control.The secular muslims and christians were the core of Iraq's upper class, and the most educated as well. The "Islamic friendly" US occupation has made it open season on Christians, and when every dirt-dumb headdress-garbed semite is given power in the new "democracy"... well, all hell will break loose.