BAGHDAD, Aug 20: The family of former Iraqi deputy prime minister Tariq Aziz saw him in prison for the first time on Saturday, his sister said. Saddam Hussein’s loyal minister was jailed after the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Mr Aziz, detained in Iraq, met his wife Violet, daughters Zainab and Saja, his sister Amal and her son Mazen, his sister said in Baghdad.

“He is tired but his spirits picked up when he saw us, after two-and-a-half years away,” she said, adding that the visit lasted for only half an hour.

She said families visited other detainees on Saturday.

It was not clear why US forces, who have physical custody over detained members of the former Iraqi government, allowed the family to visit now.

Mr Aziz’s attorney Badia Aref said last week he expected his client, who is in his late sixties, to be released from jail without being put on trial.

Mr Aref says he has been getting more access to Mr Aziz, a Christian who was the public face of Saddam’s government abroad, from US authorities in the last few weeks.—Reuters