Former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz

BAGHDAD, April 25 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, one of the best-known members of the ousted Iraqi regime in the West, is in the custody of American forces, U.S. Central Command says.

"We believe we have Tariq Aziz in our possession," a senior U.S. official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) Thursday, April 25, in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity.

There were no immediate details on how Aziz was taken by U.S. forces, but ABC television said the longtime international spokesman for Iraq's Baath regime had given himself up.

Aziz was one of the best-known figures in the Saddam regime and the most senior Christian member of the Iraqi administration.

Twelve former top Iraqi officials have now been reeled in by a US-led dragnet since the fall of Baghdad.

The BBC's Pentagon correspondent, Nick Childs, says it could be the most significant arrest by coalition forces so far.

Aziz may have information on the location of Saddam Hussein and any ‘alleged’ programs to develop weapons of mass destruction, which was the reason for the U.S.-led coalition invading and occupying Iraq.

According to unconfirmed reports, Aziz gave himself up after efforts to secure some kind of a deal through an intermediary were turned down, says the BBC's Justin Webb in Washington.

Aziz is listed among Iraq's so-called "dirty dozen" and, as a member of the Revolutionary Command Council, he is wanted by the U.S. for “war crimes against Kuwait, Iran and his own people”.

Loyal aide

Bush gives a thumbs up in response to questions about reports of the capture of Aziz

Aziz served for many years as Iraq's Foreign Minister and met Pope John Paul II shortly before the invasion began to call for peace.

Correspondents say he was one of Saddam Hussein's most loyal aides. But they add that as he was not part of the Tikriti clan, he did not wield much power.

Aziz is number 43 on the American list of 55 most-wanted officials from Saddam Hussein's administration and features as the eight of spades on the Pentagon's deck of playing cards.

U.S. President George W Bush did not answer questions about the claimed capture, but gave a thumbs-up signal to reporters at a function.

Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said US-led forces in Iraq are hunting more former members of Saddam Hussein's government than the 55 on their "most wanted" list.

Rumsfeld said the original number had been kept low to "separate the worst people from the regime, in the hope that others would come forward", but that about 200 were being sought.

Where Is Saddam?

The U.S. identified key regime leaders it wanted captured - or dead - before it launched its led invasion of Iraq.

Some may be put before war crimes tribunals, but correspondents say in the short term coalition leaders will be more anxious to get information from them about how the regime functioned and where weapons might be stored.

None of the targeted officials was captured as U.S.-led forces swept through Iraq, but the coalition says it has taken 12 into custody since the regime was overthrown.

Saddam Hussein's scientific adviser, General Amir al-Saadi, gave himself up but there have also been several arrests.

There had been fears that regime leaders would flee Iraq, perhaps into Syria.

But arrests continue to be made in Iraq, and officials such as UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw say they believe Saddam Hussein is still inside his country.