BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- Iraqi producers are planning a television version of a novel some think was written by President Saddam Hussein.

"Zabibah and the King," which tells the tale of a king who falls in love with a poor, married woman, was published anonymously late last year, but its pointed political references have led to speculation Saddam wrote it.

"It will be a series of 20 parts produced by the Iraqi satellite channel and the production process is on the way," Mizahim al-Baiati, who would supervise the television script, was quoted as telling the Iraqi newspaper al-Thawra.

Al-Baiati predicted the series would be success in the Arab world because of the "powerful meanings and thoughts indicated in the novel."

It was not clear when the first episode would air. Al-Baiati could not be reached for comment Monday.

The release of the novel was preceded by unusual publicity, with daily advertisements on Iraqi television, radio and in newspapers. Since then, it has been selling out of book stores here.

In the novel, the king's close relation to the common people, as symbolized by his love for Zabibah, makes other kings jealous and they plot against him.

"They brought shame to the Arab uniform they wear," reads a passage in the novel some interpret as criticism of the leaders of neighboring states.

Zabibah is killed and raped on January 17 -- the anniversary of the start of the 1991 Gulf War that forced Iraq to reverse its invasion of Kuwait. No ordinary writer could have made such a reference that date, Iraqi readers say.

In later passages, a "people's council" takes over the kingdom -- because no single person could match the abilities of the beloved king.

Saddam is the most popular guess of Iraqis about the identity of mysterious writer. But some point to the possibility Saddam's son Odai was the author because of its unusually frank sexual passages. Odai is known as a womanizer.

U.S. intelligence officials reportedly believe that if Saddam didn't write "Zabibah and the King," he at least closely supervised its production. The CIA is believed to have studied the novel for insight into Saddam's political thinking.