Party Re-Elects Saddam As Chief

Iraq’s ruling Baath Party on Sunday reelected Saddam Hussein as leader of its policy-making body and sacked or demoted three officials belonging to tribes opposing his regime.

The moves came as an official with the rebel alliance seeking to topple Saddam said the group would choose a new leadership.

An official Iraqi News Agency report, monitored in Cyprus, said 246 ruling Baath Party members attended a two-day General Congress in Baghdad. All but three of the 16 members of the Regional Command, the party’s highest body that also shapes government policy, retained their posts.

Khader al-Douri, brother of Saber al-Douri, whom Saddam sacked as Iraq’s security chief last year, and his cousin, Abdel Rahman al-Douri, were ousted.

Mezher Matni Awad, who belongs to the Duleimi tribe which led an uprising against Saddam in May, was demoted to a junior member.