[aristeides]

Der Spiegel says it has learned from its own sources in North Iraq that Aziz fled to Arbil and joined opposition groups there. The strange comment of Aziz's office (that he's on a trip) is confirmation that something's up, as is Aziz's absence from press meetings in Baghdad the past few days.

[Wallaby]

Here's another recent story:albawaba.com

[Wallaby]

Denial from Iraq (but through a spokesman):

Channel NewsAsia

Iraq has denied rumour that its long-serving Deputy Prime Minister Tareq Aziz has defected.

"Tareq Aziz continues to carry out his work in Baghdad," Uday al-Tai, director general of Iraq's information ministry, told reporters.