Militia blamed for taunts at Saddam's execution

Iraqi officials claim militia infiltrated Saddam Hussein's execution team withthe intent to inflame sectarian tensions

4 January 2007
Iraqi officials claim Saddam Hussein's execution was infiltrated by outsiders bent on inflaming sectarian tensions.

Authorities are questioning a guard at the prison where the hanging took place. They are trying to find out who filmed the event on a cellphone, and leaked the video.

The footage of the former dictator being taunted by Shi'ites as he stood on the gallows has sparked outrage across the Arab world.

Iraq's National Security Adviser Mowaffaq al-Rubaie admits things did not go to plan.

Another Iraqi official says the hanging was supposed to be carried out by hangmen employed by the Interior Ministry, but that militias infiltrated the executioners' team.

The US military says it would have handled the execution of Saddam Hussein differently.

However, US military spokesman Major General William Caldwell says all American responsibility for the former Iraqi leader ended when he was handed over earlier in the day.

He says the security measures at Saddam's hanging were the responsibility of the Iraqi government.

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