Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti (28 April 1937 - 30 December 2006; was the President of Iraq from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003. A leading member of the revolutionary Ba'ath Party; which espoused a mix of Arab nationalism and Arab socialism; Saddam played a key role in the 1968 coup that brought the party to long-term power. As president; Saddam maintained power during the Iran-Iraq War of 1980 through 1988; and throughout the Persian Gulf War of 1991. During these conflicts; Saddam suppressed several movements; particularly Shi'a and Kurdish movements seeking to overthrow the government or gain independence. In March 2003 the U.S. and its allies invaded Iraq; eventually deposing Saddam. Captured by U.S. forces on 13 December 2003; Saddam was brought to trial under the Iraqi interim government set up by U.S.-led forces. On 5 November 2006; he was convicted of charges related to the 1982 killing of 148 Iraqi Shi'ites convicted of planning an assassination attempt against him; and was sentenced to death by hanging. Saddam was executed on 30 December 2006.