Saddam underwear photo: appeared to breach Geneva Convention: must protect prisoners of war in their custody from "public curiosity".

BBC NEWS | Middle East | Saddam underwear photo angers US: "Friday, 20 May, 2005, 14:26 GMT 15:26 UK

The US military says it is investigating "aggressively" after a picture appeared in a British paper showing Saddam Hussein half naked.

The Sun newspaper's front page image showed the former Iraqi president in a pair of white underpants.

Other pictures showed Saddam Hussein washing his trousers, shuffling around and sleeping.

The US said the photos appeared to breach Geneva Convention rules on the humane treatment of prisoners of war.

The conventions say countries must protect prisoners of war in their custody from "public curiosity".