Sahaf turned into talking doll

The one member of Saddam Hussein's former government to emerge from the war with a greatly enhanced profile has been turned into an American icon. The minister of information, Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, has been made into a 30cm-tall doll, dressed in standard green military uniform.

There are two types: the cheaper version, at $24.95 (£16), is a simple replica of the man who blithely discounted all reports of Iraqi reverses.

The more expensive version, at $35.95, talks. Among his phrases are: "There are no American infidels in Baghdad. Never!", "Our initial assessment is that they will all die", "No, I am not scared and neither should you be!", "We have given them a sour taste" and "They're not even [within] 100 miles [of Baghdad]."

Mr Sahaf became a cult figure in the US because of his upbeat approach to the Iraqi position in the war. He has since had websites dedicated to him and has become a figure of fun for comedians and talk show hosts such as David Letterman and Jay Leno.

Unconfirmed reports in the Iranian press that he committed suicide shortly before US marines took Baghdad have failed to stem the jokes.

The Connecticut company Hero Builders created the doll in Mr Sahaf's image to join a merchandising line that includes Osama bin Laden in drag and George Bush.

The dolls are just one of many commercial spin-offs from the war. Another popular item is the pack of playing cards which contains the faces of Saddam Hussein and his main associates. These were originally given to American troops to help them identify wanted Iraqis. They are now being marketed in the US for more than $100.

The Star Spangled Ice Cream Company is offering Iraqi Road as a new flavour. Other flavours include the Donald Rum Raisin.

Watches with the faces of Saddam Hussein with his head on a platter and of Donald Rumsfeld are also on sale.