US official in Baghdad says Saddam in US custody

BAGHDAD, Dec 29 (Reuters) Saddam Hussein was still in US custody today evening, a US official in Baghdad said, denying reports that the US military had handed the former president over to Iraqi authorites to be hanged.

''He is still in US custody,'' a US official in Baghdad told Reuters.

An appeals court on Tuesday upheld Saddam's November 5 death sentence for crimes against humanity for the killings, torture and other crimes against the Shi'ite population of the town of Dujail. US and Iraqi officials have given conflicting reports of when he will be hanged.

Although legally in Iraqi custody, US troops have hitherto physically kept guard over Saddam and are expected to hold on to him until the last minute to avoid security breaches.

Reuters LL VP0002