Saddam: Attack On Son ‘Atrocious’

In his first public comment on the assassination attempt against his eldest son last week, President Saddam Hussein denounced the shooting as an “atrocious attack” but said leaders must be prepared for sacrifice, Iraqi television reported Sunday night.

“I dealt with the atrocious attack like when I hear about an accident that could happen to one of my comrades or one of the officers on a battlefield defending the country,” Saddam was quoted as telling his Cabinet.

“It is not strange for these people to sacrifice themselves for high principles and for this country,” Saddam was quoted as saying. “What is important is that Iraq remain safe, the principles radiant and the Iraqi flag hoisted aloft.”

Except for a terse announcement shortly after the attack on Thursday evening, neither the Iraqi leader nor the country’s official media have provided details about the condition of Uday Hussein, 32, who was shot as he drove his Porsche through a prosperous Baghdad neighborhood.

Two opposition groups abroad have claimed responsibility for the attack but there has been no official confirmation of the identity of the gunmen, Reuters reported.