Saudis start separating Iraqi conjoined twins

RIYADH, Dec 2 (Reuters) Saudi doctors began a 21-hour operation to separate Iraqi conjoined twins sharing many vital organs, a hospital spokesman said today.

''We have finished the first stage and are now dividing the liver,'' said Sami al-Shalan, spokesman at the National Guard Hospital.

''This is considered one of the most difficult operations of its kind because so many organs are shared.'' The 11-month-old twins Zahra and Fatima Haidar share the same liver, colon, anus, urinary and genital system and are joined at the chest and abdomen.

Their case has attracted media attention because they hail from Sadr City in Baghdad where sectarian fighting has taken the country to the brink of civil war. Saudi state television has carried parts of the operation live.

''The parents made an appeal on Iraqi television. When King Abdullah heard about it he directed us to bring them to Saudi Arabia for the possibility of separation,'' Shalan said.

The Saudi team, led by surgeon Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, has performed 11 separations of conjoined twins, with a 100 per cent success rate so far.

Saudi Arabia wants US troops to remain in its northern neighbour for fear of partition if they leave.

REUTERS PDM KP1443