Geoff Hoon is visiting Iraq

Mr Hoon was visiting British troops in southern Iraq on Wednesday.

Asked by reporters if he thought the deposed Iraqi leader was still in the country, he replied: "In the end we don't know, but it is still our best judgment that he is.

"As each day goes by, as we continue to search those places he may be hiding.

"We have to keep an open mind, but is it still my best judgment."

I want British forces to go back home just as soon as possible Geoff Hoon

Mr Hoon is the first senior minister from Britain or the United States to visit Iraq since the two countries launched a military campaign to oust Saddam Hussein on 20 March.

The defence secretary insisted he was not disappointed by the coalition's failure thus far to uncover weapons of mass destruction and remained confident they would be found.

Afterwards the weapons should be subjected to independent verification, he added.

"We accept there would be clear advantage in having an objective source available, that's not anything any of us have ever disputed," Mr Hoon said.

Mr Hoon said British troops were doing a 'tremendous' job

In an interview with the British Forces Broadcasting Service he said the UK was making a "tremendous humanitarian contribution to rebuilding this country".

"But I want British forces to go back home just as soon as possible," he added.

During his visit to southern Iraq Mr Hoon visited Basra where he met soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Black Watch, and also went to Umm Qasr where he met members of the Logistic Brigade.

After leaving Iraq Mr Hoon is due to go to the neighbouring states of Kuwait and Qatar.

Mosque sighting

Many people believe Saddam Hussein and other key leaders in his regime survived US attempts to assassinate them.

The residents of an area in northern Baghdad - around the Adhamiya mosque - say Saddam Hussein appeared there on 9 April.

A videotape allegedly taken on the same day has also surfaced.

But rumours have circulated that the ousted Iraqi leader fled abroad, to a refuge such as Syria, perhaps with the help of Russian diplomats.

The UK and US has warned Syria not to shelter him.

Coalition forces are hunting for Saddam Hussein with a sample of his DNA to make sure when they catch him they really have their man.

He is known to have used doubles throughout his time in power.