The United States has formally declared former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, captured on December 13th and held by US forces, as an enemy prisoner of war, the Pentagon said this evening.
Air Force Maj Michael Shavers, a Pentagon spokesman, said Saddam is entitled to and is being given all the rights due him under the Geneva Convention for enemy prisoners of war.
Shavers said the declaration of his status did not change the
conditions under which US forces are holding Saddam.
"The bottom line is that Saddam Hussein was the leader of the old regime's military forces, and therefore he was a member of the military, and he was captured. That makes him an enemy prisoner of war," Shavers said.
Officials said the decision on Saddam's status was made this week.