Iraqi TV channel shows film of Saddam's body

BAGHDAD, Dec 30 (Reuters) An Iraqi television channel today showed film of the body of Saddam Hussein in a white shroud.

The grainy, low-quality footage on Biladi, a Shi'ite-run channel, showed Saddam lying with his neck twisted to one side at an awkward angle, with what appeared to be blood or a bruise on his left cheek. Saddam was hanged at dawn on Saturday.

The short clip of amateur quality appeared to have been filmed on a mobile phone or other small camera.

Earlier a witness who testified at Saddam's trial told Reuters he was among those allowed to view the corpse during a private reception at the prime minister's office.

State television Iraqiya showed footage of Saddam having a noose put over his neck by masked hangmen, but it stopped short of showing the actual hanging or the body.

REUTERS AKJ DS1650