A prominent member of Saddam Hussein's family has been discovered living in Damascus under the protection of the Syrian government after fleeing Iraq last week, The Telegraph reported Sunday.
Fatiq al-Majid, one of Saddam's nephews, entered Syria last Monday after leaving Iraq at the al-Rabie'a checkpoint, which is under the control of US troops. Majid was given a Syrian visa and made his way to Damascus, where he is now living in exile.
Majid confirmed his presence in Damascus when contacted by telephone by the British newspaper.
Until just a few weeks ago Majid, who is in his mid-thirties and is also the brother-in-law of Qusay Hussein, Saddam's younger son, was a commanding officer in Saddam's Special Security Organization at the Republican Palace in Baghdad.
"Majid was undoubtedly an important member of Saddam's regime," said a leading member of the Iraqi interim administration. "As a well-connected member of Saddam's family he would have been given many responsibilities in addition to his duties in the security establishment." (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
