Saddam 'to be executed before 3am'

Saddam Hussein will be executed before 6am Saturday Baghdad time (3am Irish Time), a senior Iraqi government official said tonight.

The time was agreed upon during a meeting between US and Iraqi officials, said the official, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

“The time has been agreed upon. It will be done by six o’clock in the morning,” the official said.

“The agreement was reached during a meeting between Iraqi and American officials. Saddam will be handed over shortly before the execution.”