Saddam's doctor emerges as key US ally

Baghdad: A cardiologist who served in Saddam Hussain's private office has emerged as a main American ally in Baghdad.

Moayad Al Janabi is a pillar of the "surge", the combination of forces with ceasefires that has seen a drop in violence.

Like many from the Sunni minority, dominant community under Saddam, he has switched his allegiance. Promises of cash for development projects in his home district of Dora lured Dr Janabi, and in the past year he has overseen its transformation from a no-go zone for US troops into a middle-class haven.

Dr Janabi said: "I didn't believe in the American invasion in 2003 but I very much believe in them when they decided to liberate Iraq from Al Qaida in 2007/8."

Blast barriers in Dora have been painted with exotic scenes and dozens of shops have reopened. Dr Janabi has put 180 of its young men on his payroll to keep the peace and has observed a quick change of loyalties.

He has been so successful that now he is being hailed as a symbol of the changes that reversed the course of a "lost" war.

Before the invasion Dr Janabi was on the presidential payroll, so trusted that he treated the dictator's son, Uday, after a 1996 assassination attempt. But his privileged world collapsed when the new regime purged Saddam loyalists and stopped his salary.

Dr Janabi still views the debauched Uday as "a good man" led astray by sycophants, but he said Saddam's execution in 2006 marked a turning point for Sunnis.

Police barred

"I cried when Saddam Hussain died but at his grave I saw the tribal chiefs take a very important decision. They decided to embrace America to save the country," he said.

While living conditions have improved, Iraq's sectarian divisions remain. Dr Janabi claimed that until recently he slept in his shoes because he feared a raid from the Shiite-dominated police. He still worries over a sudden reversal.

Lieutenant Colonel Jim Crider, Dora's US commander, has barred the police from Dr Janabi's turf.

"To the people, we are the government," said Dr Janabi. "Coalition forces have to adjudicate the differences between the people. We're well trusted, the government is not."