DUBAI, 2 August 2003 — Saddam Hussein’s eldest daughter, Raghad, yesterday accused his aides of “betraying” the deposed Iraqi president and causing the fall of Baghdad to US-led forces in April. “The main betrayal came from the people whom he trusted fully ... (In fact) they betrayed their country before betraying Saddam Hussein,” she told the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya satellite news channel from Amman. Raghad, who arrived in the Jordanian capital with her sister Rana and their nine children on Thursday after being granted refuge, termed the fall of Baghdad on April 9 “a great shock.”

Describing the hours leading up to the abrupt end of her father’s 24-year rule, Raghad said she spent them in Baghdad’s posh Mansour district with Rana and their children, knowing it was “all over.”

Apparently referring to April 9, she said her father sent cars to the house in which they were staying after midday with instructions to leave.

Meanwhile, US troops hunted Saddam Hussein yesterday armed with new pictures of how he might look in disguise, as a fresh audiotape purportedly made by the fugitive dictator urged Iraqis to drive out foreign troops. “Only the actions of the faithful who struggled and fought can evict the invaders,” said the taped message aired on Al Jazeera television. “God will grant us victory.”

The CIA says an earlier taped message broadcast on Tuesday was almost certainly recorded by Saddam. Units hunting Saddam, including the secretive Task Force 20 leading the search, have been given new photographs showing how he may look if he has disguised himself during his months on the run, a military spokesman said.

“The photos have been distributed to units and commanders who are actively involved in the search. The main purpose of the photos is to ensure the soldiers have an idea of what Saddam may look like,” Lt. Col. Kevin Gainer said. “They are a series of photos that are digitally enhanced to show Saddam in various states — shaven, unshaven, bald and all the things of that nature. We are trying to anticipate what he may do to hide his appearance.”

A US officer said two Saddam loyalists were detained yesterday afternoon in a raid near his home town, Tikrit. A top bodyguard was arrested in the area earlier in the week. Washington is offering a $25 million reward for information leading to Saddam’s capture or proof of his death. The man who betrayed Uday and Qusay is being paid $30 million.

In northern Iraq, firefighters tried in vain to extinguish a blaze at a gasoline pipeline near the Baiji refinery. US officials said the line would have to be shut down briefly.

The blaze sent clouds of thick smoke into the air. Locals said the fire began after an explosion and suspected it was the work of saboteurs.