Syria expelled Saddam's sons

2004-03-11 17:22

Washington - Two sons of Saddam Hussein fled to Syria after the US invasion of Iraq a year ago but were later expelled, USA Today reported on Thursday.

Quoting unnamed former and current US administration officials, the report said Uday Hussein and his brother Qusay, who were killed by US forces July 22, had been in Syria following the invasion.

"The US officials said that Qusay and Uday had spent time in Syria after the war began March 19," the report said.

"One current US official said it was possible that the two men crossed in and out of Syria several times before they were finally expelled, travelling with a small number of aides and bribing border guards to gain entry," it said.

The daily reported that their mother, Saddam's first wife, Sajida, also fled to Syria and may still be there.

"The US officials said that the Syrian government may not have known initially that Qusay and Uday were in the country," the report added.

Syria's ambassador to the United States, Imad Moustapha, said his government "categorically denies" letting Saddam's sons into Syria. He said similar charges made in the past turned out to be wrong and "evaporated into thin air," the report added.

- AFP