Iraq details terror leader's death

Abu Nidal in 1980

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- An Iraqi intelligence chief has released details and photos of the death of one of the world's most wanted men, Abu Nidal.

In a remarkable news conference, secret services chief Taher Jalil Habbush told reporters that Abu Nidal, 65, shot himself in the mouth as he was about to be arrested by Iraqi authorities.

He said Abu Nidal was taken to hospital and died eight hours later in intensive care.

Abu Nidal had a reputation as one of the most ruthless Palestinian guerrilla commanders.

Habbush showed photos of the international terrorist lying on the floor covered in blood and displayed his medical report saying that a single bullet had been fired through his mouth and exiting his skull.

EXTRA INFORMATION On The Scene Iraq describes death of terror leader

Habbush said Abu Nidal pulled out a revolver and shot himself after saying he wanted to change his clothes after Iraqi agents came to his Baghdad apartment to take him away.

He was expelled from Iraq in 1983.

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The Iraqi official said Abu Nidal had entered Iraq in 1999 under a false passport, an assumed name and had been working against Iraq.

As the head of the Fatah-The Revolutionary Council group, Abu Nidal broke with the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1974, saying the organization and Yasser Arafat were too moderate.

Abu Nidal and his group were blamed for more than 90 terrorist attacks that killed hundreds of people. The attacks struck at Middle Eastern, European and U.S. targets.

Israel launched an invasion of Lebanon aimed at Arafat and repelling terrorists after Abu Nidal's operatives attempted to assassinate the Israeli ambassador to Britain in June 1982.