Posted on 06/05/2003 9:30:41 AM PDT by knighthawk
The cousin of Saddam Hussein has landed in Britain, airport officials confirmed.
Izzi-Din Mohammed Hassan al-Majid is believed to be organising asylum applications on behalf of the former Iraqi dictator's two daughters, Raghad and Rana Hussein, in Britain.
Officials at Leeds Bradford airport confirmed a KLM flight from Amsterdam landed this morning with Mr al-Majid on board.
A large group of reporters had gathered in the arrivals lounge at the airport hoping to speak to the former dictator's cousin.
It is understood Mr al-Majid was spoken to by immigration officials before being allowed to continue his journey.
Raghad and Rana Hussein are believed to be planning to apply for asylum in Leeds.
The news comes as a separate report revealed Saddam's wife, Sajida, also plans to seek asylum in Britain.
A spokesman for the Home Office said any members of Saddam's family found to be guilty of human rights abuses would not be allowed in.
Mr al-Majid claimed today that the sisters, and their 10 children, were making final arrangements to head to Britain from Iraq.
He told The Sun: "Saddam's daughters had British schools and hospitals in mind when they decided to ask for asylum - especially the schools."
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'No asylum' for Saddam's daughters Jun 5 2003
Saddam Hussein's daughters will not be given asylum in this country, a Home Office source said.
A cousin of the former Iraqi dictator landed in Britain today and is believed to be organising asylum applications on behalf of the two daughters, Raghad and Rana Hussein.
But a Home Office source said if they did claim asylum, they would be turned down.
He said: "We are not in the business of giving asylum to people who abuse human rights, including Saddam Hussein's family."
Raghad and Rana Hussein are believed to be planning to apply for asylum in Leeds.
But the source said the chances of them getting to this country in the first place were "pretty unlikely".
They would have to apply for visas or enter the country covertly.
Officials at Leeds Bradford airport confirmed a KLM flight from Amsterdam landed this morning with Saddam's cousin Izzi-Din Mohammed Hassan al-Majid on board.
A large group of reporters had gathered in the arrivals lounge at the airport hoping to speak to him.
It is understood Mr al-Majid was spoken to by immigration officials before being allowed to continue his journey.
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