Saddam not held up as a 'public curiosity': Rumsfeld

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld denied that broadcasting images of a captured Saddam Hussein violates the Geneva Conventions.

Rumsfeld said it was important to prove to the world, and especially Iraqis, that Saddam was in custody.

"It is enormously important that people see he is out of commission ... and controlling that country no more, forever."

Rumsfeld also said that because Saddam has used body doubles who have had plastic surgery, the decision was made to broadcast his image and have him publicly identified.

He said Saddam is being treated humanely and has been afforded all the privileges of a prisoner of war but has not been classified a PoW.

According to the Geneva Conventions, PoWs must be protected against public curiosity.

"He has been handled in a professional way. He has not been held up as a public curiosity," added Rumsfeld.

Rumsfeld said the CIA has been charged with the responsibility of interrogating Saddam Hussein