Iraqi President Saddam Hussein told his people Baghdad would be defended, in a message read out on state television on Friday by one of his ministers. "The enemy is trying to enter Baghdad," Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf said, quoting a statement he said was from Saddam.
"Let every family in Baghdad be assured...our faithful men will confront the enemy."
Meanwhile, Iraq's foreign minister on Friday said Saddam was in fact alive. Naji Sabri said in a BBC interview that Saddam Hussein was alive, but refused to say whether he personally had seen the Iraqi president.
"He was seen yesterday meeting with ministers," Sabri said. Asked if he had seen him personally, he replied: "It's none of your business to ask this question. The president is well, the leadership are well...and they are functioning as normal." On Thursday, Al Bawaba reported that Saddam was alive in a location unknown to his ministers. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
