IRAQ'S AZIZ ASKS FOR SPEEDY EXECUTION: LAWYER

Iraq's former deputy premier Tareq Aziz called on Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to accelerate his execution because of his worsening health, his lawyer Badie Aref said. "His health condition is very poor. He asked this because of his dangerous health condition. He is suffering." Aziz suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, prostate problems and stomach ulcers.