Mercy airlift for tragic Ali

The Iraqi boy who lost both arms and suffered 60% burns in a bomb attack on his home is to be airlifted out of a Baghdad hospital to save his life, it emerged today.

Twelve-year-old Ali Ismaeel Abbas could die without getting specialist treatment, according to doctors in the capital.

He will be flown to Kuwait either today or early tomorrow, according to a US marine in Iraq.

Staff Sergeant John Jamison told GMTV News: "We have been trying to get him out of here and it looks like that's going to happen."

Sgt Jamison said Kuwait's Ministry of Health has agreed to look after Ali and his uncle - his only living male relative after the boy's parents and the rest of his family were killed in the bombing of Baghdad.

"I'm not sure where he will be flown out from. We are still working on that," Sgt Jamison added.

Ali is currently in Saddam City Hospital in Baghdad.

Medical staff made a direct appeal to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush to get Ali proper treatment by flying him out of the dilapidated hospital that is short of drugs, equipment and doctors.

Pictures of Ali in his hospital bed were transmitted around the world.

His plight has brought thousands of pounds in cash flooding into appeals launched by UK newspapers, while British amputees have launched the Ali Fund, a joint venture by the Limbless Association and Conservative politician Caroline Spelman.

Payment for Ali's treatment has also been pledged by the Maharani of Jaipur.