Saddam set to hang in three hours -court official

BAGHDAD, Dec 30 (Reuters) A key court official said Iraq's government had told him to be ready to attend the hanging of Saddam Hussein between 5.30 am and 6 am (0800-0830 hrs IST) today.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he had been sworn to secrecy, told Reuters a government official telephoned to tell him he would be taken to the place of execution in time for 5.30. The court official is among those who must, by law, attend any execution.

The government has been meeting US officials to determine if a hanging can take place on Saturday and it was still not clear if a final decision had been made or whether court officials were being gathered simply as a precautionary measure.

Reuters SBA VP0512