US military says not holding Saddam's deputy
BAGHDAD (AFP) — The US military on Wednesday denied reports it is holding Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri, the number two under Saddam Hussein.
"We are aware of media reports that Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri has been captured," the military told AFP in an email.
"At this point, we can say that he is not in coalition custody and we have no reports that he was captured by Iraqi security forces either."
Al-Arabiya television channel reported that a man suspected to be Duri, who tops the Iraqi government's list of most-wanted fugitives, has been captured in Iraq.
The man suspected to be Duri 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.
