Hussein holds rare Q&A on Iraqi TV

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi President Saddam Hussein appeared on television Sunday for a rare question-and-answer program on his ruling Baath party.

About 45 minutes of the meeting were taped and broadcast on both Iraqi television networks.

The program showed the Iraqi president giving his views on how to best reorganize the Baath party and its various branches throughout Iraq. He also took questions from party leaders, none of whom was openly critical of the government.

Hussein compared the Baath party revolution in Iraq to the birth of Islam, in which he said Muslims had suffered and made sacrifices and blood had been spilled.

He said changes in how the Baath party operates should be focused on making it more efficient. He told party leaders he had nothing against the expansion of party cells throughout the country as long as they met this goal.

"It is possible to increase the number of branches we have, and expand the party cells, but it should be within a well studied plan, because too many branches may be difficult to oversee," Hussein said.

The president also told party leaders it was important to maintain control.

"So many leaders in the world have failed to rule their people. On a humanitarian basis, they are seen as good, gentle people, but on a political basis, they are weak and lose control of their people," he said.

The Q&A session was one in a series of actions by the Iraqi government that appear to encourage political dialogue and openness after years of international isolation and United Nations-imposed sanctions.

As of Monday, the government will allow sales of television satellite receivers and decoders for the first time. Only entertainment programming, however, will be available.