Dispute clouds sale of luxury yacht built by Saddam

A palatial pleasure yacht fitted with swimming pools, salons and, should the winds of war blow, a secret passage and a rocket launching system is up for sale - unless Iraq can prove the vessel built for Saddam Hussein still belongs to the toppled dictator’s entourage.

The 269ft sea palace, docked at Nice on the French Riviera, was seized by French authorities on January 31 ahead of a court hearing likely to be held in March to determine who owns the vessel, originally built for Saddam when he ruled Iraq.