Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein said his execution would be a sacrifice for Iraq and called on Iraqis to unite and fight US forces in a letter yesterday.

"Here I offer myself in sacrifice. If God almighty wishes, it (my soul) will take me where he orders to be with the martyrs," Saddam said in the hand-written letter obtained from his defence lawyers in Jordan.

"If my soul goes down this path (of martyrdom) it will face God in serenity."