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'Comical Ali' single released
LONDON, England (CNN) -- Former Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, whose daily briefings during the U.S.-led invasion of his country won him cult status, is set to take the British music industry by storm. Sahaf, dubbed "Comical Ali" for his eccentric denials that Iraq was losing the war, amazed and entertained Western television viewers during the war by appearing each day -- with trademark beret and smile -- to deny events that viewers could see on their television sets. Speaking daily to the media until the fall of Baghdad, Sahaf condemned the U.S. and announced an Iraqi victory. He is not named in Washington's pack of cards -- the U.S.' list of its 55 most wanted Iraqis. Record producers have recorded a dance track including some of Saddam's top spin doctor's most popular phrases such as, "There are no American infidels in Baghdad. Never!" and on coalition troops, "God will roast their stomachs in hell at the hands of Iraqis." (Full Story) At one point, Sahaf went on the roof of the Palestine Hotel and persisted with his denials, telling the world's media that there were no 'infidels' in Baghdad when American troops and tanks could be seen a few hundred yards away. "I triple guarantee you, there are no American soldiers in Baghdad" he said. The track called "I can't believe what I'm hearing," written by songwriter Alton Bryan, will be released in shops and clubs in two weeks. It is predicted to follow Paul Hardcastle's 1986 hit about the Vietnam war, "19." "It is set to be massive," executive producer, Les Molloy, told The Sun newspaper Friday. "There has already been a lot of interest from record stations and club DJ's." The producers say royalties will be kept for Sahaf, which he will be able to claim if not indicted as a war criminal. If Sahaf does not claim the money, then it will be donated to an Iraqi Children's charity. Sahaf's cult status was also established with his own spoof Web site called welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com. Its popularity around the world was so great, with 4,000 hits a second, it had to be pulled shortly after going up. "Comical Ali" merchandise is also being sold over the Internet including a doll of the former information minister. Sahaf has already been invited to join Arab television network, al-Arabiya, as a commentator and analyst. Speculation continues over Sahaf's whereabouts. It has been rumored that the former dictator's minister was holed up in Iraq negotiating his surrender to the U.S..
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