DUBAI, April 29: An Arab TV news channel has offered a job to Saddam Hussein’s top spin doctor, former Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Said al-Sahhaf.

Sahhaf, who became a global celebrity for his persistant refusal to admit that US troops were in Baghdad, has been told by the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya channel that there is a job waiting for him.

“We see no problem in having Mr. Sahhaf join us. First of all, Sahhaf is not on the list of the 55 Iraqis most wanted by the Americans, and he won international fame (during the Iraqi war). We would be happy to have him on our team,” Ali Al-Hedeithy, the head of Al-Arabiya said.

OFFER TURNED DOWN: A London-based Arab newspaper said on Tuesday Mr Sahhaf was turned down by US troops after trying to turn himself in. The Asharq Al-Awsat said Sahhaf has been at his aunt’s house in Baghdad for the past four days and had wanted US troops to arrest him so that “they can protect him” but they refused since he was not on their “most wanted” deck of playing cards.—AFP