Saddam trial resumes without him

BAGHDAD - The trial of Saddam Hussein resumed on Monday without the ousted Iraqi leader, who has been receiving medical attention for his hunger strike.

Defence lawyers boycotted Monday's session in protest against what they have said was the court's refusal to meet their demands for a fair trial.

Adding to the chaos of the trial, which is approaching its conclusion, Saddam's half-brother and former intelligence chief Barzan al-Tikriti said he refused his court-appointed attorney and demanded he be allowed to leave the chamber.

"I am here against my will," he said.

The former Iraqi president was being fed through a tube on Sunday after 16 days on hunger strike. The US military said his condition was not critical.

The 69-year-old ex-leader has been drinking sweet coffee and liquid nourishment and receiving psychological counselling to try to persuade him to eat, said the US military.

Saddam and his seven co-accused are on trial for the killing of 148 Shi'ite men and teenagers after an attempt on his life in the town of Dujail in 1982. They could face hanging if found guilty.

He is also awaiting trial in August for genocide against the Kurds in the late 1980s under the so-called Anfal campaign.

The Dujail trial, which US and Iraqi officials had hoped would project a new image of democracy in post-war Iraq, has been marred by the killing of three defence lawyers.

Saddam and Barzan have often launched tirades in the chamber in a trial which saw the resignation of the first chief judge in protest against what he called government interference.

Barzan and chief judge Raouf Abdel Rahman engaged in yet another verbal exchange on Monday.

Once one of the most feared men in Iraq, Barzan asked Abdel Rahman to adjourn the trial but the request was turned down.

"The decision of your lawyers not to attend the court is for the purpose of the media only. I want to ask you how long you and your lawyers will continue to play this game with the court," he said.

Saddam's chief defence lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi has accused US military authorities of force feeding the toppled president to make him end the hunger strike.

- REUTERS