The idea of offering Saddam Hussein exile to potentially avoid the 2003 invasion of Iraq originated with King Abdullah of Jordan, newly released British government documents reveal.

The King also expressed interest in extending his Hashemite dynasty’s influence to Iraq after the fall of Saddam’s regime, according to records from the UK Prime Minister’s Office released by the British National Archives.

In March 2003, the United States led a coalition to invade Iraq, aiming to oust Saddam and eliminate alleged weapons of mass destruction. Although the military campaign was swift, it sparked widespread international protests and opposition, and the ensuing occupation plunged Iraq into long-term instability from which the Iraqis still suffer today.

In the weeks leading up to the invasion, King Abdullah proposed an initiative to the US and UK in which Saddam would be offered exile. However, he insisted that the proposal should come from the Americans and the British, not from Jordan or other Arab states.

READ: UK advised Iranian exiles to use Kurdish question to gain support for overthrowing Khomeini, British documents reveal

During a meeting with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair on 25 February 2003, the King sought to “clarify any confusion on his initiative.” According to the meeting notes, Abdullah argued that by making the offer, the US and UK would show they “wanted to give peace a chance.” He added that the proposal would increase the chances of Saddam being overthrown and “box in the Russians, French and Germans”—all of whom opposed military action without a UN resolution.

The King viewed the idea as a “useful backup” in case the UN Security Council did not adopt a resolution. He believed that if Saddam rejected the offer, it would expose him as someone “determined to take everyone........

© Middle East Monitor