The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has concluded that the voice on an audiotape is likely that of Saddam Hussein, a US official said Thursday.

The tape, which surfaced earlier this week, urged Iraq's former soldiers to rise up against the United States.

"Although it cannot be determined with absolute certainty, the CIA's assessment after a technical analysis of the tape is that it is likely Saddam Hussein's voice," said the US official, who spoke only on condition of anonymity, according to an AP report.

The official said the tape was made on July 20, two days before Hussein's sons Odai and Qusai were killed.

(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2003)