Saddam Supporters Vow Revenge

Amman - Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party threatened on Wednesday to retaliate if the ousted Iraqi leader was executed, warning in an internet posting that it would target United States interests anywhere.

The statement appeared on a Web site known to represent the Ba'ath, which was disbanded after US-led forces overthrew Saddam in 2003.

The site is believed to be run from Yemen, where a number of exiled members of the party are based.

On Tuesday, Iraq's highest court rejected Saddam's appeal against a conviction and death sentence for the killing of 148 people who were detained after an attempt to assassinate him in Dujail, northern Iraq, in 1982.

The court said the former president should be hanged within 30 days.

'Determined to retaliate'

The statement read: "Our party warns again of the consequences of executing Mr President and his comrades.