BROKEN and depressed, deposed despot Saddam Hussein has appealed for mercy, saying his regime had meant no harm during his years running the country, Iraq’s interim premier said yesterday.

Broken and depressed, deposed despot Saddam Hussein has appealed for mercy saying his regime had meant no harm during his years running the country, Iraq’s interim premier said today.

Saddam Hussein appears depressed and demoralised in solitary confinement, spending his time writing poetry, tending a garden and reading the Quran, it was claimed today.

Two more key members of Saddam Hussein’s regime were in Allied custody tonight as the hunt for his chief henchmen continued.

SADDAM Hussein’s half-brother has been captured by US-led special forces in Baghdad, US Central Command said yesterday.