Iraq to probe video of Saddam

Baghdad: The Iraqi government has launched an inquiry into how guards filmed and taunted Saddam Hussain prior to his execution on Saturday.

Broadcasts of the video have sparked sectarian anger throughout the country.

The government released a video showing the hangman talking to a composed Saddam as he placed the noose round his neck.

But mobile phone footage on the web showed guards shouting "Go to hell!", chanting the name of a Shiite militia leader and exchanging insults with Saddam before he fell through the trap.

A senior Iraqi official told reporters American officials tried to persuade Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki not go through with the execution for at least two weeks.