'Comical Ali' makes comeback on Arab TV

The former Iraqi information minister who became known as "Comical Ali" has made his first TV appearance since the collapse of…

The former Iraqi information minister who became known as "Comical Ali" has made his first TV appearance since the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime.

The Gulf Al-Arabiya satellite network yesterday showed a few seconds of footage of Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf and said it had conducted a 30-minute interview in Baghdad with him, which was to air today.

The ex-minister, whose implausible claims of victory during the war led to his nickname Comical Ali, did not speak in today's clip.

The TV network said al-Sahhaf claimed he had surrendered to US forces, was interrogated and released.

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The interview came a day after a British newspaper reported he had been taken into US custody, and the Dubai-based TV station said it was aimed to dispel that claim.

In the clip, al-Sahhaf appeared fit, but with greying hair - a departure from his previous look of black hair and military uniform.

Al-Sahhaf disappeared the day Baghdad fell to coalition forces on April 9th, and reports have said he was hiding in a relative's home in Baghdad, fearing revenge from angry Iraqis. Al-Sahhaf is not on the list of the 55 most wanted Iraqi officials.