Hashem was also sentenced to death , but Iraq 's Sunni Arab Vice-President Tariq al-Hashimi has long refused to sign his execution order . NEW : U.S. handed Saddam Hussein 's over to Shiite authorities shortly before execution , official says . Ali Hassan al-Majeed cousin Ali Hassan al-Majeed executed . Saddam Hussein 's had been sentenced to death in one separate trials . Execution had been delayed by VP 's refusal to OK another defendant 's death sentence .
NEW : U.S. handed Saddam Hussein 's over to Shiite authorities shortly before execution , official says . Ali Hassan al-Majeed cousin Ali Hassan al-Majeed executed . Saddam Hussein 's had been sentenced to death in one separate trials . Execution had been delayed by VP 's refusal to OK another defendant 's death sentence .