US troops used nerve gas as they broke into Saddam Hussein's hiding place to capture him, ITAR-TASS reported Monday, citing Saudi press. The substance's effect was felt also by some local people, the agency said.

Saddam was captured in a US raid on Saturday, and reportedly showed no resistance when they found him in a mud hut basement near his hometown of Tikrit. The ousted dictator, however, insisted for negotiations.

I am Saddam Hussein, President of Iraq, and I want to negotiate, the man has told US soldiers as they broke into the underground hideaway.

Saddam is currently in US custody in Iraqi capital Baghdad, and is undergoing interrogation after DNA tests proved his identity. He doesn't act aggressively, reports say, but only gives rote answers and no intelligence information.