Abu Nidal was shot dead on the orders of Saddam Hussein after refusing to train al-Qaeda fighters based in Iraq, The Telegraph reported in its Sunday edition.
According to the British publication, Western diplomats believe that the Palestinian militant was killed for refusing to reactivate his international network. According to reports received from Iraqi opposition groups, Abu Nidal had been in Baghdad for months as Saddam's personal guest, and was being treated for a mild form of skin cancer.
While in Baghdad, he came under pressure from the Iraqi leader to help train groups of al-Qaeda fighters who moved to northern Iraq after fleeing Afghanistan. Additionally, Saddam wanted Abu Nidal to launch attacks against the US and its allies.
When Abu Nidal refused, Saddam ordered his intelligence chiefs to assassinate him. The Iraqi authorities later claimed that Abu Nidal had killed himself when confronted with evidence that he was involved in a plot to overthrow Saddam.
"There is no doubt that Abu Nidal was murdered on Saddam's orders," said a US official who has studied the reports. "He paid the price for not cooperating with Saddam's wishes," The Telegraph said. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
