Iraq has suspended plans to close 44 media operations in the country, including the BBC and Voice of America, after an outcry by press freedom campaigners.

An arrest warrant against a Sunni Cabinet minister is another step by the Shiite-led government to marginalise the Iraq’s Sunni minority, the official’s political organisation said today.

The US government has put a $25m (€21m) price on Saddam Hussein’s head and has offered $15m (€13m) for information leading to the capture of either of his sons.