Go-ahead for Chemical Ali's execution

Iraq’s presidency endorsed the execution of Saddam Hussein’s cousin known as “Chemical Ali” who was sentenced to death for his role in the 1980s scorched-earth campaign against Kurds, a government adviser said today.

The approval by Iraq’s President Jalal Talabani and two vice presidents is the final step for the approval of Ali Hassan al-Majid’s death sentence, which must be carried out within 30 days of the decision.