Hussein's Execution Nears

The Associated Press is reporting that Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi President, will be hanged before dawn on Saturday in Iraq, before 6 a.m. (10 p.m. Friday ET).

Hussein will be hanged along with two others, Barzan Hassan and Awad Bandar. Hussein, Hassan and Bandar all were convicted of killing 148 Shiite Muslims in the Iraqi town of Dujail almost 25 years ago.

Earlier this week Hussein's lawyers had appealed the former dictator's execution. The appeal was denied, but that hasn't stopped his attorney's from doing all they can to block the execution.

Attorney Nicholas Gilman filed for a restraining order in hopes of stopping the U.S from turning over custody of Hussein to the Iraqi government.

There are conflicting reports about whether Saddam has already been turned over to Iraqi officials. Some sources are reporting that Hussein has possibly already been handed over to the Iraqi government for preparation and that witnesses to the pending execution have already been informed, but other media sources including Fox News have said that according to their sources Hussein has not been turned over and that it could be a few hours up to a few days before that happens.

Munir Haddad, an Iraqi judge on the appeals court that reviewed Saddam's case has said, "There is no reason for delays." He has also stated that the execution will occur by Saturday.

The timeframe in which Hussein's execution is taking place has been the topic of serious debate. Some human rights groups have called the trial as well as the timeframe unfair. There is also speculation that if and when the execution is carried out that it will spark wide spread violence throughout Iraq.