Iraqi President 'left bunker in an ambulance'

Saddam Hussein probably survived the initial cruise missile bombardment of his bunker in Baghdad but received minor injuries in the attack, the British Government said yesterday.

Amid continuing speculation over the Iraqi leader's fate, the Foreign Office minister, Mike O'Brien, said: "We've received information that Saddam Hussein left the area in an ambulance.

"There was some talk that he had been injured, even some suggestion that he had been killed. It seems that is unlikely. If he was injured, it doesn't appear it was serious."

Mr O'Brien told BBC Radio 4 that the Government's information came from "at least one eyewitness" to Thursday's strike under the cover of darkness. He added: "It appears [Saddam] subsequently appeared on Iraqi TV but, again, there are question marks over some of those TV appearances. In essence, we don't know for sure."

British sources have said they are certain that President Saddam was inside the compound in Baghdad's outskirts targeted in the missile strike. Witnesses reported seeing him brought out on a stretcher and treated at the scene with an oxygen mask and drips. It is believed that his sons, Uday and Qusay, were also hurt in the surprise attack.

A US official told The Washington Post that President Saddam was believed to be "at least injured because medical attention was urgently summoned on his behalf".

Britain and America are still sceptical over the veracity of a television appearance by President Saddam apparently hours after the attack. Although analysis suggests his voice was genuine, western security sources said he has pre-recorded more than 10 hours of taped appearances covering every possible scenario.

The White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said: "The CIA's assessment of the tape is that it does appear to be the voice of Saddam, but there is no conclusive evidence about whether it was taped before or after the operation began."

The Iraqis insist President Saddam is still in control of his government and regularly consulting his generals over the progress of the war.

The bunker was part of a secure compound guarded by the Special Security Organisation, which is commanded by Qusay.

Analysis of photographs indicated that it was severely damaged in the missile strike.