Ahmad Chalabi, Leading Voice Behind Iraq WMD Claims, Dies
BAGHDAD — Ahmad Chalabi, the smooth-talking Iraqi politician who played a role in persuading the United States to topple Saddam Hussein in 2003, has died. He was 71.
His secretary confirmed to NBC News early Wednesday that Chalabi had suffered a fatal heart attack. His death was also reported by state TV.
Chalabi, a secular Shiite politician who lived in exile for decades, was a leading proponent of the invasion to remove Saddam from power. He provided false information indicating that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Many in the Bush administration had viewed him as a favorite to lead Iraq after the 2003 intervention.
However, he had a falling out with the Pentagon following the invasion amid accusations that he had passed information to arch-foe Iran.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ahmad-chalabi-leading-voice-behind-iraq-wmd-claims-dies-n456331
