UNITED NATIONS, April 10: Iraqi Ambassador to the UN Mohammed Aldouri conceded on Wednesday “the game is over”, and hoped that the Iraqi people would be able to live in peace.

As the images of the US-led coalition forces entering Baghdad appeared on television, Mr Aldouri told reporters at his residence in New York: “The work now is peace. We hope that peace will prevail.”

Asked about the whereabouts of Mr Saddam Hussein, the ambassador said he had had no communication with Baghdad for some days.

“I have no relationship with Saddam so I can’t tell you. I have no communication with Iraq. I am here so I know nothing about what is going on there,” he said.

On Tuesday, there were uncorroborated reports that Mr Aldouri was planning to leave on Wednesday night on a flight to Paris.

But by late evening he was seen entering his residence in Manhattan and told reporters: “I’ll see you at the UN tomorrow.”

When asked about Mr Aldouri’s fate, Pakistan’s Ambassador Munir Akram said grimly: “Aldouri is my close friend. I wish him well.”