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Iraq TV Shows What Says Is Saddam in Baghdad
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By Samia Nakhoul

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi television showed footage of what it said was
President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) visiting residential areas of
Baghdad on Friday, hours after the U.S. military said it had taken control of
the city's airport.


Reuters Photo

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Wearing a green military uniform and with a pistol at his waist, Saddam moved
slowly through a crowd of cheering and chanting Iraqis, almost all men. Some
kissed him on his cheeks and hands and he held up a small child.


"We'll defend you with our blood and souls, Saddam," one man said.


The 65-year-old leader looked relaxed and smiled broadly as he paused to chat
with citizens of his embattled capital in what, if the pictures are genuine,
could be his first appearance in public for about two years.


There was no way of verifying when the film was made but a Reuters driver
said he saw a large crowd of people on Friday afternoon in the area of
Baghdad which Saddam was said to have visited. He did not see the president.


Saddam, who has a number of doubles, made similar public tours of parts of
Baghdad during the 1991 Gulf War (news - web sites).


But witnesses noted that oil fires could be seen burning in the background in
Friday's footage. Iraqis lit oil trenches at the start of this war, hoping to
confuse U.S. warplane pilots and they are still burning.


Earlier on Friday, the United States said it had taken control of Saddam
International Airport, just 12 miles southwest of the capital.


"How are you?" Saddam was heard asking excited and clearly surprised
citizens.


"May God protect you, president," said one Iraqi.


DEFYING BUSH


One man shouted a defiant message to President Bush (news - web sites), who
launched the war against Iraq (news - web sites) on March 20 after accusing
Saddam of concealing weapons of mass destruction.


"Bush, Bush, listen to us. Clearly all of us love Saddam," the man shouted.
Iraq denies possessing chemical or biological weapons.


The television said Saddam visited some of the buildings destroyed in more
than two weeks of heavy U.S. aerial bombardment.


Since the start of the war, Iraqi television has often shown footage of what
it says is Saddam, usually chairing meetings. He has also made a series of
statements.


Friday's television footage was clearly designed to rally the people of
Baghdad and show that Saddam was still alive and defiant after strikes
targeting the Iraqi leadership.



Related Links
• Text of Saddam Hussein's Speech (AP)