‘Depressed’ Hussein seeks clemency from premier

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.

“Saddam sent me a verbal message asking for mercy,” Ayad Allawi told the pan-Arab newspaper Al Hayat. “He said they were working for the general good and they didn’t aim to harm.”

Mr Allawi said the message was carried by a member of the current government. He didn’t say by whom or when the message was relayed.