Saddam Hussein’s former foreign minister Tariq Aziz was convicted of crimes against humanity and jailed for 15 years today for the 1992 execution of 42 traders accused of profiteering while Iraq was under UN sanctions.

Iraq’s presidency endorsed the execution of Saddam Hussein’s cousin known as “Chemical Ali” who was sentenced to death for his role in the 1980s scorched-earth campaign against Kurds, a government adviser said today.

Kitchens specialist Aga Foodservice cut the size of its business today after agreeing the £260m (€372m) sale of its commercial equipment arm.

An Iraqi appeals court today upheld death sentences imposed against “Chemical Ali” al-Majid and two other Saddam Hussein lieutenants convicted of crimes against humanity for their roles a massacre of Kurds, a judge said.

Kuwait’s ailing emir, Sheik Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah, has abdicated following an agreement within the ruling family, a politician said tonight.

US officials now say they are not so sure that a coalition air strike killed “Chemical Ali”, one of Iraq’s most notorious officials.

Coalition aircraft today struck the home of an Iraqi general known as ”Chemical Ali” for ordering a poison gas attack that killed thousands of Kurds in 1988.

AMERICAN forces yesterday turned their sights on one of Saddam Hussein’s most notorious henchmen.

Saddam Hussein has placed Iraq on a war footing, placing his son and three trusted lieutenants in charge of four military regions to defend against a US-led invasion.