Tariq Aziz dies

Tariq Aziz, known as the face of Saddam Hussein’s regime on the world stage for many years, has died in an Iraqi hospital, officials say according to the BBC.

Aziz, 79, served as foreign minister and deputy prime minister and was a close adviser to the former leader.

He was sentenced to death by the Iraqi Supreme Court in 2010 for the persecution of religious parties under Saddam’s rule but was never executed.

He surrendered to US troops in 2003 shortly after the fall of Baghdad.

The BBC reported that a local health official told reporters that he was taken to hospital from prison after suffering a heart attack. Initial reports said he had died in prison.

He had long been in poor health, suffering from heart and respiratory problems, high blood pressure and diabetes, and his family repeatedly called for his release from custody.

---

---