Lebanon arrests Saddam nephew linked to insurgency

BEIRUT, May 24 (Reuters) Lebanese security forces have arrested a nephew of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein suspected of masterminding attacks against U S forces in Iraq, security sources said today.

They said Bashar Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan was detained as he tried to board a flight to Brazil at Beirut airport yesterday after officers suspected that his passport was tampered with to modify the name.

He had entered Lebanon by land from Syria after leaving Iraq.

The sources said there was an international warrant for Bashar's arrest on terrorism charges, which include leading a group to fight U S forces in Iraq.

He is thought to be the son of Saddam's half-brother Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan who is in custody in Iraq.

REUTERS SHR BST2041