Saddam survived on chocolate

The newspaper, quoting American military officials, said the former Iraqi strongman relied on a word-of-mouth system of couriers to carry instructions back to a cluster of Baathist cells that allowed him to direct the insurgent movement against forces of the US-led coalition.

All the while, the daily reported, Saddam was sheltered by a tightknit network of family who brought him news from across Iraq.

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US military officials said that to avoid detection, Saddam traveled on foot, by small boat along the Tigris River, and along back roads in taxis and the back of pickup trucks, often at night, rarely with more than two or three loyal followers.