The rise and fall of Saddam Hussein - in pictures

  • A picture taken in 1960 shows Saddam Hussein as a young member of the Baath Party. AFP
    A picture taken in 1960 shows Saddam Hussein as a young member of the Baath Party. AFP
  • Saddam Hussein, left, in his housecoat, is seen preparing a hot drink with unidentified others in this photo taken in the 1960s, as his influence in the Ba'ath Party was growing. AFP
    Saddam Hussein, left, in his housecoat, is seen preparing a hot drink with unidentified others in this photo taken in the 1960s, as his influence in the Ba'ath Party was growing. AFP
  • Saddam Hussein, then Iraq's vice president, stands with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, left, and defense minister Raul Castro, January 30, 1979 in Havana. AFP
    Saddam Hussein, then Iraq's vice president, stands with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, left, and defense minister Raul Castro, January 30, 1979 in Havana. AFP
  • Saddam Hussein, now Iraq's president, during the 1980-1988 Iraq-Iran war. AFP
    Saddam Hussein, now Iraq's president, during the 1980-1988 Iraq-Iran war. AFP
  • Saddam Hussein points a Kalashnikov at an unspecified location in Iraq, 1987. AFP
    Saddam Hussein points a Kalashnikov at an unspecified location in Iraq, 1987. AFP
  • Iraqi Kurds light candles and lay flowers in the cemetery for the victims of the Halabja chemical attack carried out by Saddam Hussein in 1988. AFP
    Iraqi Kurds light candles and lay flowers in the cemetery for the victims of the Halabja chemical attack carried out by Saddam Hussein in 1988. AFP
  • Saddam Hussein visits Iraqi troops at a military camp in occupied Kuwait after the 1990 invasion of the Gulf state. AFP
    Saddam Hussein visits Iraqi troops at a military camp in occupied Kuwait after the 1990 invasion of the Gulf state. AFP
  • Two elderly Israeli women look at damage caused when an Iraqi Scud missile slammed into their house January 18, 1991. Reuters
    Two elderly Israeli women look at damage caused when an Iraqi Scud missile slammed into their house January 18, 1991. Reuters
  • American troops take control of an unspecified area in southern Iraq during the 2003 US invasion of the country. AFP
    American troops take control of an unspecified area in southern Iraq during the 2003 US invasion of the country. AFP
  • Saddam Hussein at an unknown location in Iraq following his capture by US troops on December 13, 2003. AFP
    Saddam Hussein at an unknown location in Iraq following his capture by US troops on December 13, 2003. AFP
  • Saddam Hussein listens as he receives his verdict during a trial held amid tight security in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, November 5, 2006. AFP
    Saddam Hussein listens as he receives his verdict during a trial held amid tight security in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, November 5, 2006. AFP
  • A video grab taken from Al Iraqiya TV shows Saddam Hussein moments before being hanged in Baghdad on December 30, 2006. AFP
    A video grab taken from Al Iraqiya TV shows Saddam Hussein moments before being hanged in Baghdad on December 30, 2006. AFP