DNA tests have confirmed that the captured individual is ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, the leader of the Iraqi Council has reportedly said.

Three Iraqi Governmental Council members will be asked to identify Saddam, according to CNN reports.

Earlier in the day international agencies reported that U.S. forces have captured a number of wanted Iraqis in Tikrit, possibly including former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

A spokeswoman for the U.S.-led occupation in Baghdad, who requested anonymity, has said that a "very important" announcement will be made at a news conference scheduled for 7 a.m. EST, but has declined to give more details.

A U.S.-led coalition toppled Saddam in April.

At least a dozen audiotapes believed to have been recorded by Saddam, 66, have been released since he was forced out of power by the coalition forces during the Iraq war. The most recent was broadcast in November.

His sons Uday and Qusay -- also on the coalition's most wanted list -- were killed in July, after U.S. forces stormed their hideout in Mosul.

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