Saddam says victory at hand against U.S. occupation

The Fedayeen Saddam are one of more than 20 militia groups in Iraq. This graphic describes their operation before the invasion, when they were a formal paramilitary organization in Iraq. Today's open letter may be a signal.

AMMAN, Oct 15 (Reuters) - In an open letter, Saddam Hussein told Iraqis "victory was at hand" and urged insurgents to show magnanimity to opponents, saying he himself forgave Iraqis who aided the killers of his two sons.

In the letter dictated to his chief lawyer Khalil Dulaimi during a four-hour meeting on Saturday in his prison, the former Iraqi leader also said Iraqis should put aside differences and set only one goal - to drive U.S. troops out of Iraq.

"Victory is at hand but don't forget that your near-term goal is confined to liberating your country from the forces of occupation," Saddam said in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters on Sunday.

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