French La Roche publishing house has signed an agreement yesterday, granting itself the right of publishing the romantic novel "Zabibah Wal Malek" (Zabibah and the King), said to be penned by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in November 2000.
The London-based daily, Al Sharq Al Awsat, reported on Sunday that La Roche house would publish the romantic novel in French earlier next year. “The novel will hit the stands in all countries, except for Japan, Russia and Arab-speaking countries, on January 2003,” the publishing house said.
Several newspapers reported in 2000, that Saddam Hussein is the most likely author of the 160-page romantic novel. In the story, the king's lover, Zabibah, is raped on January 17, the same day US-led forces launched the 1991 offensive that drove Iraq out of Kuwait. Avenging Zabibah's honor, the king dies after a strong fight with the rapist.
Besides the love story, the novel enhances speculation that the 66-year-old Saddam is preparing to hand over power to one of his sons.
According to the newspaper, revenues from book sales will go to the Iraqi Red Cross for poor, orphans and the needy of the UN sanctions.
Saddam, known to admire poetry, is the second Arab ruler to publish a novel after Libyan President Muammar Qaddafi. – Albawaba.com
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
