BAGHDAD — Iraq has arrested a former general in Saddam Hussein's military who has been identified as a leading financier of the Sunni insurgency.

The Iraqi Interior Ministry reported that the general has been captured and charged with helping finance the insurgency. The ministry identified the general as Khamis Masin Farhan Al Ugaydi, also known as Abu Saba.

The ministry statement said Al Ugaydi was captured in Dec. 20 in Beiji by Iraqi security forces, Middle East Newsline reported. The ministry said authorities obtained information on Al Ugaydi's whereabouts.

"Abu Saba was involved in funding other terrorists to attack Iraqi civilians," the ministry said. "Abu Saba is also suspected of planning attacks on election centers."

The Interior Ministry did not explain the delay in announcing Abu Saba's capture. The ministry said Al Ugaydi was linked to two Sunni insurgency leaders who were members of the Saddam regime.

The leaders were identified as Mohammed Rijab Hadoushi and Sabawi Ibrahim Hassan. Both Hassan and Hadoushi have been sought by Iraq and U.S. military authorities.