Famed former Iraqi information minister leaves Baghdad, might not return

By Reuters, 7/11/2003

| Complete coverage |  RELATED INFORMATION Obituaries of Hussein brothers Hussein brothers' bodies List of Iraq's most wanted  TODAY'S GLOBE [ Globe stories from past week ]  PHOTO GALLERIES The aftermath of war Baghdad after Saddam Iraq photo journal Iraq's National Museum looted The liberation of Baghdad Saddam's statue is toppled The taking of Basra With the Army V Corps More photo galleries from Iraq  MESSAGE BOARDS Readers react to the war on Iraq  VIEWS ON WAR Latest from the Globe opinion pages A look at the antiwar movement  GRAPHICS Interactive map of Iraq Comparison of US, Iraqi forces Learn about coalition weaponry More maps and graphics  TEXT Speeches, reports, documents

DUBAI -- Former Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, who earned the nickname "Comical Ali" during the U.S.-led war on Iraq, made a sudden appearance in Abu Dhabi on Friday, saying he might not return to his homeland.

"When I leave I always have in my mind that I might not come down this road again, but I hope and pray to God that I can return to Baghdad one day," he said on Abu Dhabi Television.

Sahaf, 63, became an unlikely media star during the war, winning his stripes as a hero to many in the Arab world while Western audiences gasped and then chuckled at his bravado.

He earned his unflattering nickname for proclaiming the defeat of U.S. forces even as American troops advanced into Baghdad, and for his habit of handling loaded weapons during news conferences.

"Hopefully, all of them (Arab countries) are our nation, but you always hope to return to your homeland with your memories," said Sahaf, who was shown arriving at the airport in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Sahaf said he had mixed feelings about leaving Baghdad.

"I have the same feeling as any ordinary citizen...It didn't mean much to me to be a minister. But this time I have really mixed feelings, of sadness and hope," said Sahaf, who was met at the airport by a UAE delegation.

The station showed excerpts of Sahaf talking on the plane, flagging an interview to be shown at 2000 GMT.

Sahaf, who was not on the U.S. "most wanted" list, was freed last month after he surrendered to U.S. forces in Baghdad.

In the Arab world, Sahaf gained fame for his colourful use of the Arabic language, using archaic insults to describe the U.S. and British invaders which had Arab commentators debating their meaning and poring over dictionaries.

He branded the British and U.S. leaders "an international gang of criminal bastards," "blood-sucking bastards," ignorant imperialists, losers and fools.

In his first interview last month after Baghdad's downfall, also with Abu Dhabi Television, Sahaf defended his press briefings during the conflict.

"The information was correct but the interpretations were not," he said, adding: "I did my duty up to the last minute."