Deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein has said believes the United States will have to seek his help to quell the bloody insurgency in Iraq and open the way for US forces to withdraw.
Mr Hussein's lawyer, Mr Khalil al-Dulaimi said in an interview yesterday that the former leader was the key to returning stability to Iraq.
"He's their last resort. They're going to knock at his door eventually," the lawyer said. Saddam is "the only person who can stop the resistance against the US troops."
There is no indication US officials have considered seeking his help. Although Saddam's once dominant fellow Sunni Arabs are the backbone of the insurgency, the Shia Muslim majority and Kurds repressed by his regime would be enflamed by his presence.
The comments from Al-Dulaimi, the head of Saddam's defence team, portrayed a deposed leader who seems to hold out hope he can bargain his way out of trials that threaten him with the death penalty.
Al-Dulaimi said Saddam brought up the topic during a meeting Tuesday, and indicated he would be willing to help the United States - "for the sake of saving both peoples - the Iraqis and Americans".
He quoted Saddam as saying: "These puppets in the Iraqi government that the Americans brought to power are helpless. They can't protect themselves or the Iraqi people. The Americans will certainly come to me, to Saddam Hussein's legitimate leadership and to the Iraqi Baath Party, to rescue them from their huge quandary."
The lawyer suggested Saddam might be willing to negotiate such help by making the verdict in his trial a bargaining chip.
Saddam and seven of his former officials are on trial in the deaths of 148 people during a crackdown on a Shia village, and Iraqis widely expect the ousted leader to be sentenced to be hanged. He also is due to begin a second trial that could end with the death penalty.
AP