Monday, November 28 2005 17:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Baghdad: Saddam Hussein and others assembled today (Nov 28, 2005) in a special Green Zone courtroom for resumption of his trial as the sound of mortar fire echoed through the center of the Iraqi capital.

Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark and the former Qartari Justice Minister Najib al-Nueimi were seated with the defense team inside the heavy guarded room, alongwith Saddam's chief lawyer Khalil Dulaimi.

Chief Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin ordered all handcuffs and shackles removed from the defendants as each entered the court separately. Saddam was the last of the eight to come inside, walking with a swagger, appearing cheerful and greeting people with a traditional Arabic greeting "peace be upon the people of peace."

Saddam, dressed in black trousers and a gray jacket, entered about eight minutes after his name was called.

Several mortar blasts could be heard although it was unclear where they occurred. There were no casualty reports.