BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's Governing Council ordered an investigation Wednesday into allegations former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein bought the support of foreign politicians and organizations with millions of barrels of oil.

"We asked the Justice Ministry to launch an investigation, take measures against the Iraqis who took part and examine what could be done internationally to pursue foreigners involved," Naseer al-Chaderji, a senior council member, told Reuters.

The independent Baghdad newspaper al-Mada earlier published a list it said was based on Oil Ministry documents showing 46 individuals, companies and organizations inside and outside Iraq who were given millions of barrels of oil.

Chaderji said he believed the newspaper's list was genuine. An official assessment will be left to the minister of justice. U.S.-led forces occupying Iraq toppled Saddam, who led Iraq for 24 years, in an invasion last year.

"This oil belongs to the Iraqi people. We will focus on those who abused their position, took bribes from Saddam in return for propaganda," Chaderji said.

The newspaper's list included members of Arab ruling families, religious organizations, politicians and parties from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Sudan, China, Austria, France, Italy and other countries.

Organizations named included the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Communist Party, India's Congress Party and the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Arab oligarchs from oil-producing countries and sons of Arab officials who have been political foes of Saddam for decades were also on the list.

Officials in Saddam's regime, which directly controlled its oil wealth, said the newspaper's list was genuine.

"Those whom you used to see on television meeting Saddam did not usually come out empty-handed. God forgive him. We paid dearly," one former Baathist official said.

The incidents allegedly took place from 1996 to 2003 when Iraq was allowed to sell oil under an agreement with the United Nations requiring that proceeds from the oil sales be used to buy food, medicine and basic supplies.

One Iraqi official said he was personally involved in arranging the transfers of oil.

"Sometimes people came to Iraq wanting nothing," the official said. "Saddam corrupted them. He gave them oil as a gift and they got hooked."