A senior Iraqi government official tells me Tuesday night that the execution of Saddam Hussein will be carried out this way:
On the day of the execution, Saddam will be taken to the gallows now used to execute “terrorists and criminals.” He will not be given special treatment.
He will be dressed in either a green or an orange jumpsuit. He will be handcuffed. His feet will be chained, with only enough slack so he can shuffle up the stairs to the gallows. He will be hooded. He will wear prison sandals.
The hangman will also be hooded, but with a hood with eyeholes so he can see to pull a lever, releasing a trap door, dropping Saddam.
The gallows are made of steel, 15 feet off the ground. The gallows have been built with American supervision to meet "human rights standards." The old gallows had an old rope that had become elastic. There is now a new rope designed to snap Saddam's neck, not strangle him.
Before the execution, not expected before the new year, Saddam will be given a final meal, and time to smoke, pray and write a will. This could take several hours.
A doctor will check Saddam's health before the execution and remain on hand to verify his death.
The execution will be filmed for the Iraqi government archives. Limited footage of the execution will be broadcast on Iraqi state television.
--Richard Engel, NBC Middle East correspondent and Beirut bureau chief
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