The half-brother of the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Barzan Takriti, says he is returning to Iraq and dismissed reports that he had defected.

Speaking on arrival in the Jordanian capital, Amman, he said there were no political differences whatsoever between him and the president.

Mr Takriti served ten years as Iraqi ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, but was among about thirty ambassadors recalled to Baghdad when his term ended three months ago.

Under Swiss law he had until the end of November to leave.His wife died a week ago in a Swiss clinic where she was being treated for cancer.

Iraqi officials in Amman said Mr Takriti would leave later on Sunday on the land journey to Baghdad.

Three years ago, two sons-in-law of Saddam Hussein, who had fled to Jordan, were killed alomost immediately on their return despite assurances about their safety.