Arabiya TV airs tape of Saddam trial hearing

DUBAI - Arabic satellite television Al Arabiya showed a video tape of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein appearing before a tribunal official.

The footage showed the official reading charges against Saddam, including expropriation of property belonging to Iraqi Kurds and Shi'ite Muslims.

Saddam protested several times against the procedure, interrupting the official.

"I am detained and this is a game ... I am detained by the Iraqi government appointed by the Americans," said Saddam as he sat across a table from judicial officials.

He said he had not been allowed to see his lawyer except at hearings and said he had not been told in advance about when the hearing would be held.

- REUTERS