Saddam Hussein's half-brother dies of cancer

BAGHDAD (AP) -- Saddam Hussein's half-brother and former director of his feared general security services died of cancer on Monday in a Baghdad hospital, a senior official said.

Deputy Justice Minister Busho Ibrahim told The Associated Press that Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan, who had received several death sentences, was transferred to the hospital from prison as his health deteriorated at dawn. His body will be handed over to his family.

Al-Hassan had lived in exile for a period after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, but was deported to Iraq by the Syrian government in 2005. He was No. 36 on the list of 55 most-wanted Iraqis released by U.S. authorities and was suspected of financing insurgents after U.S. troops ousted the ex-dictator.

Under Saddam, al-Hassan served as head of intelligence and security before taking up his final post of presidential adviser to the former regime. Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging in Dec. 2006 for his role in the 1982 killings of 148 Shiites following a failed assassination attempt in the early 1980s.