Iraqi Dictator Saddam Hussein Arrested

"Americans stressed that Saddam had been arrested and that the news of the capture would be officially announced in the next few hours," he said upon arrival in the Iranian border with Iraq before heading for France.

The head of Iraq's U.S.-appointed Governing Council confirmed the arrest as did British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The 66-year-old former leader, who has been on the run since U.S. forces took Baghdad on April 9, was dug out, dirty and dusty, from a cellar in Tikrit, said Ahamed Chalabi, a member of the Iraqi Governing Council and the leader of the Iraqi National Congress.

Washington has made Saddam number one -- the "ace of spades" -- on its list of 55 most-wanted Iraqis, and placed a $25 million reward on his head.

An informer was paid $30 million and given refuge in the United States for turning in Uday and Qusay in Mosul.

Saddam would be put on trial, Chalabi added. A tribunal system for Iraqis to try Saddam and fellow Baathist leaders was set up only last week.

U.S. officials had said Saddam had eluded American troops by moving every few hours, probably in disguise and aided by members of his clan in the Sunni Muslim areas around Tikrit, north of Baghdad.

Chalabi said Saddam was captured without any resistance.

"He was arrested without resistance and there was enough time for him before that to commit suicide if he wanted but he did not," Chalabi told Iraqi TV.

"The nightmare that was haunting the Iraqi people has been lifted. Saddam is under arrest and he will tried publicly and punished for his crimes," added Chalabi.

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MNA