Court Orders Saddam to Be Hanged Within 30 Days

An Iraqi appeals court has upheld the death sentence imposed on Saddam Hussein at his first trial for war crimes. The court said Saddam must be hanged within 30 days for the killing of 148 Shiites in the central city of Dujail.

On Nov. 5, an Iraqi court sentenced Saddam to the gallows for ordering the 1982 killings following an attempt on his life.

Under law, the court's decision must be ratified by President Jalal Talabani and Iraq's two vice presidents. Talabani opposes the death penalty but in the past, he has deputized a vice president to sign an execution order on his behalf.