Son feared Saddam

Saddam Hussein's eldest son, Uday, was an alcohol-swilling, pill- popping womaniser who lived in fear of the man he dreamed of replacing as Iraqi president, a woman claiming to be his housemaid said yesterday.

Jannat, an Iraqi woman, told the Dubai-based al-Arabiya TV station her roles included preparing his drinks and food "and other services". She refused to elaborate.

Uday, No 3 on the US list of 55 most-wanted Iraqis behind his father and younger brother, Qusay, also held weekly parties, Jannat said.

And Mohammed, identified as one of Uday's 18-member "elite bodyguard unit", told Al-Arabiya he saw Uday shoot dead more than 20 people, one a doctor visiting from America, because she diagnosed him as being impotent.