It is important to note that a former Military Intelligence official for Iraq during Saddam Hussein's heyday, Abu Aseel , was considered for the post. Abu Aseel, a former high ranking Saddam official, has been working with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi since 2002. (before the U.S. invasion) Sami Moubayed, Asia Times, 6-13, 06

Of course, Aseel isn't the only former Baathist caught working with Zarqawi in Iraq. Some of the others are named here and here.

These former Baathists provided important support for Zarqawi and his network all the way up to his death, and it appears that they continue to aide (and in some cases lead) al Qaeda in Iraq.