American Troops At Baghdad Airport And Mohammed Saeed Al-Sahhaf

(7 Apr 2003) STORY
The former Iraqi information minister appeared on Arab television on Thursday - his first appearance since the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime.
Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf was dubbed "Comical Ali" during the war because of his wildly implausible claims of victory.
In his interview with Abu Dhabi television, Al-Sahhaf blamed his errors on inaccurate information provided by Iraqi military officials.
He referred to his famous denial that US tanks were in Baghdad, even as television pictures showed them in the city.
He acknowledged that he had known they were there, but said the Iraqi military had promised him that the situation was under control.
The former minister insisted that he had always been convinced of what he said - only the information he was given hadn't always been good.
In Thursday's interview, al-Sahhaf was much changed from the pugnacious spokesman who derided invading American forces.
He was subdued, his voice softer and he had evidently lost weight.
Gone were the military fatigues, the beret and jet black hair.
Instead he wore an open-necked shirt and his hair was white.
Al-Sahhaf became a regular sight on television screens, briefing the international media in Baghdad before and during the US-led war.
The minister disappeared the day Baghdad fell to coalition forces on April 9 and reports had said he was hiding in a relative's home in Baghdad, fearing revenge from angry Iraqis.
Al-Sahhaf is not on the list of the 55 most wanted Iraqi officials.

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