Saddam's number two reportedly captured in Iraq

DUBAI: A man suspected to be Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri, who tops the Iraqi government's list of most-wanted fugitives, has been captured in Iraq, Al-Arabiya television reported Wednesday.

The man suspected to be Duri, who was number two under Saddam Hussein, was captured by Iraqi forces and handed over to the US military, it said, citing Iraqi security sources.

Al-Arabiya said the man was caught in Hamrin between the provinces of Salaheddin and Kirkuk and was being moved to Baghdad.

DNA tests are being conducted to confirm his identity, the Dubai-based Saudi-owned channel added.

Abu Mohammed, described as Duri's representative in Syria, told Al-Arabiya the report is fabricated.

Duri is free and secure and "leading the resistance and jihad in Iraq," Abu Mohammad said by telephone. Al-Arabiya quoted "US forces" as saying the person captured "looks like" Duri but confirmation of his identity awaits DNA testing.

Duri, the most senior official in the ousted Saddam Hussein regime to be still on the run, heads a 41 most-wanted list released by the Iraqi government in 2006 with a 10-million-dollar bounty.

He was Saddam's number two under the former Baath regime and is considered an operational leader with close ties to anti-US insurgents. Thursday. AFP