Free Republic

<p>WASHINGTON — Reports of a death notice and a mourning ceremony did not fool U.S. forces tracking down Aziz Saleh al-Numan (search), the highest-ranking capture on the list of the 55 most-wanted Iraqis.</p> <p>U.S. forces captured al-Numan, a former senior Baath Party (search) leader, despite the reported efforts by his family to throw them off track. He was No. 8 on Central Command's list.</p>

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. forces captured a former senior Baath Party leader who is No. 8 on Central Command's list of the 55 most-wanted Iraqis, American officials announced Thursday. A brief Central Command statement said Aziz Sajih al-Numan "is now in custody of coalition forces." He is the highest-ranking person on the list of 55 to be taken into custody so far. Al-Numan was identified as the Baath Party's regional command chairman responsible for west Baghdad. He also is a former governor of Karbala and Najaf, according to the Central Command statement. Central Command said he was captured by coalition...