Confusion reigns in Iraq's government over whether the most wanted Saddam Hussein aide, ex-Vice President Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, had been caught on Sunday.

Defense Minister Hazim al-Shalaan told Lebanon's LBC television that reports of the arrest of Ibrahim, who was sixth on a US list of the 55 most wanted members of Saddam's administration, were baseless.

However, Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's office later said that they captured "someone" and a DNA test is needed to confirm whether the man is Ibrahim.

Earlier on Sunday, State Minister for Provinces Affairs Wael Abdul Latief told the Dubai-based al-Arabiya television that Ibrahim was arrested Sunday in northern Iraq,

"Iraq's national guardsmen backed by US troops have captured al-Douri in Tikrit area depending on reliable intelligence," Abdul Latief said.

During the capture operation, about 70 of Ibrahim's supporters were killed and 80 others arrested, the minister said.

Source: Xinhua