Saddam appoints new intelligence chief

Thursday, October 21, 1999

CAIRO [MENL] -- Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has appointed a new chief of intelligence, an Arab newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The London-based A-Sharq al-Awsat daily said Saddam appointed Taher Jalil Jayhoush as his new intelligence chief. As his predecessors, Jayoush is a member of Saddam's Takriti tribe. Jayoush replaces Rafa Takriti, who was reported to have died of a heart attack.

The newspaper said Saddam personally supervises and monitors his intelligence service. Iraqi opposition sources said they suspect Saddam was unhappy with Takriti and had him killed.

The latest appointment comes as Iraqi opposition sources and U.S. officials report rising resentment against Saddam from within his tribe and family. They said Saddam, in an effort to foil any coup attempts, has reshuffled his army generals and other leading members of the regime.