A leading Arabic newspaper in London published on Wednesday a letter it said was from deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

"We received it yesterday by fax. We believe it is authentic," Abdel Bari Atwan, editor of Al Quds, told Reuters. "It is handwritten, signed by Saddam Hussein and dated April 28, which is his birthday.

"I have seen his signature before, and this looks like it, but I am not an expert."

The newspaper published a text of the letter as well as a picture of the fax it received including Saddam's signature. It quoted sources close to Saddam as saying the letter was authentic.

Saddam said in the letter that he abandoned his palaces a long time ago to live in a small house. He did not say where.

He urged the Iraqi people not to descend into sectarian strife. "Rise up against the occupier, don't trust those who speak about Sunnis and Shi'ites because the only issue now for your great country Iraq is the occupation.

"There are no priorities except kicking out the infidel, criminal, murderous and cowardly occupier...

"Iraq... will be victorious... and we will rebuild Iraq, which they want to divide into pieces.

"Unite and then the enemy and the traitors who came in with it will flee... Boycott the occupier, this is your duty under Islam, religion and the nation."