Iraqi forces have now recaptured 42 of the 140 prisoners who escaped when suspected al-Qaeda militants stormed a jail outside the northern city of Mosul on Tuesday.
Hasham al-Hamadani, the chairman of Nineveh province's security committee, confirmed the figure but denied reports that two of executed dictator Saddam Hussein's nephews were among those who had escaped.
Iraqi officials said that a large force of militants from the 'Islamic State of Iraq' - an al-Qaeda led umbrella group for Sunni insurgent factions – broke into the prison and freed the prisoners.
Iraqi guards called in support from US forces, who helped regain control of the prison.
