Saddam Hussein deserves the “ultimate penalty” for his crimes, US president George Bush has told the nation.

American officials say Iraqi leaders will have to curb their enthusiasm for a quick trial of Saddam Hussein – and a possible summer execution.

Iraq's transitional Governing Council has decided to divide up the key ministries in the new cabinet being formed among the major communities in the country, a council member has said.

A US soldier, an eight-year-old Iraqi child, and a pro-American mayor and his son were killed yesterday as pro-Saddam Hussein insurgents unleashed a string of violent attacks on the eve of a recently banned Ba'ath Party holiday.