Iraqi presidential palaces - in pictures

  • One of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's palace complexes near Baghdad International Airport. AFP
    One of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's palace complexes near Baghdad International Airport. AFP
  • Scattered across Iraq lie more than 100 opulent palaces and villas built by former dictator Saddam Hussein -- some in use, many in ruins like much of the war-scarred country. AFP
    Scattered across Iraq lie more than 100 opulent palaces and villas built by former dictator Saddam Hussein -- some in use, many in ruins like much of the war-scarred country. AFP
  • With their marble columns, ornate carvings and gaudy furniture, they reflected the delusions of grandeur and the megalomania of Saddam, who visited some of them only once or twice. AFP
    With their marble columns, ornate carvings and gaudy furniture, they reflected the delusions of grandeur and the megalomania of Saddam, who visited some of them only once or twice. AFP
  • One of Saddam's palaces in the Babylon Tourist Resort in the Babil Governorate in central Iraq. AFP
    One of Saddam's palaces in the Babylon Tourist Resort in the Babil Governorate in central Iraq. AFP
  • One of Saddam's former palaces has been turned into an antiquities museum in the southern city of Basra. AFP
    One of Saddam's former palaces has been turned into an antiquities museum in the southern city of Basra. AFP
  • Part of one of Saddam's palaces in Mosul destroyed during the battle with ISIS militants. Reuters
    Part of one of Saddam's palaces in Mosul destroyed during the battle with ISIS militants. Reuters
  • This palace, which belonged to Saddam, overlooks ancient Babylon. AFP
    This palace, which belonged to Saddam, overlooks ancient Babylon. AFP
  • One of Saddam's former palaces in his hometown of Tikrit. AFP
    One of Saddam's former palaces in his hometown of Tikrit. AFP
  • A Shiite fighter from Al-Hashid Al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) walks outside Saddam's palaces in the Iraqi town of Ouja, near Tikrit, on March 17, 2015. Reuters
    A Shiite fighter from Al-Hashid Al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) walks outside Saddam's palaces in the Iraqi town of Ouja, near Tikrit, on March 17, 2015. Reuters
  • This restaurant, which was built for Saddam Hussein's regime VIPs, looks out over Lake Tharthar. Getty Images
    This restaurant, which was built for Saddam Hussein's regime VIPs, looks out over Lake Tharthar. Getty Images
  • A train, which used to bring Saddam's loyalists from Baghdad to Saddamiat al Tharthar resort city, lies abandoned at Lake Tharthar. Getty Images
    A train, which used to bring Saddam's loyalists from Baghdad to Saddamiat al Tharthar resort city, lies abandoned at Lake Tharthar. Getty Images