The Arabic-language Al-Arabiya satellite television channel has broadcast a new audio tape attributed to deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. In the recording he pays tribute to his sons Uday and Qusay, who were killed in a shootout with U.S. forces last week.
The Dubai-based Al-Arabiya satellite channel broadcast the audio tape late Tuesday. On the tape, the voice acknowledges the death of Saddam's two sons and his grandson, Mustafa, last week.
The voice says even if Saddam had 100 children, he would mourn their deaths the same way. He says his two sons died as martyrs for Iraq.
As with several previous audio tapes said to be from Saddam Hussein, the authenticity of this tape could not be confirmed. If it is real, it would confirm that Saddam is still alive.
U.S. forces are laying siege to houses where he and senior supporters are believed to be hiding nearly every day, and they say they are closing in on him.