Saddam may die within days 

Saddam Hussein may be hanged in the next few days, according to information the White House has eceived from Iraqi officials to queries about when the execution will take place.

However Iraqi officials backed away from suggestions they would definitely hang him within a month, and a cabinet minister said a week-long religious holiday could stall any execution.

The former Iraqi dictator has already said goodbye from his prison cell to his two half brothers.

A defence lawyer says the 69-year-old is in very high spirits and clearly readying himself. He has told his lawyer he is happy to die a martyr at the hands of his enemies, rather than languish in prison.

Saddam's hanging is expected to prompt a fresh wave of violence in Iraq.

Iraqi authorities are being urged to show restraint over Saddam Hussein's death sentence, but UN High Commissioner Louise Arbour is urging Iraqi authorities not to act hastily in carrying out the sentence.

She points to a number of concerns as to the fairness of Saddam's original trial.

Arbour says the international community has an interest in making sure the death sentence is imposed only after a credible and impartial trial.

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