From the Dept of Poor Taste: Saddam Hussein's Palace Bedroom to be Rented to Newlyweds

Basra, Asharq Al-Awsat - The tourist office of the Babil Governorate in Iraq is offering former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's bedroom in the Al-Hillah Presidential Palace for rent to newlyweds and married couples. This is the first time that the Iraqi Ministry of Tourism has utilized property of the former regime [for the purposes of tourism].

The director of the Al-Hillah Presidential Palace resort informed journalists yesterday that "the bedroom of former President Saddam Hussein is available for rent to newlyweds for 200,000 Iraqi Dinars [IQD], which is equivalent to $180 dollars, per night." He added that "this room is only one among many in the Presidential Palace that also includes 31 [other] suites, which are also available for rent at prices ranging from between 75,000 IQD and 200,000 IQD"

The Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities revealed that it had a dissenting opinion with regards to how the Presidential Palaces in the Babil Governorate should be used.

Tourism Ministry spokesman, Abdul-Zahra Al-Talqani informed Asharq Al-Awsat the Tourism Ministry had a dissenting opinion towards the tourism resort that had been established in the time of Saddam Hussein, and which had been re-opened by the Babil Province. He added that "a ministerial committee has been formed in this regard to make observations as to how this facility should be used." Al-Talqani added that the tourist resort was comprised of the large palace, and its grounds and annexes.