Thursday, July 27 2006 12:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Baghdad: Deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was forced to attend his trial on charges of crimes against humanity yesterday (July 26, 2006) and declared that if convicted he would rather be shot than hanged.

Appearing vigorous on the 18th day of a hunger strike, Saddam was made to appear and hear a court-appointed defence lawyer make the final arguments on his behalf, as his defence team are boycotting the hearings.

"Remember that Saddam was a soldier and that therefore, if he is condemned to death, he should be shot and not hanged," Saddam declared, speaking of himself in the third person in the course of one of his numerous outbursts.

Judge Rauf Abdel Rahman replied simply that the Iraqi High Tribunal had not yet delivered its verdict.

Following the adjournment of the trial until tomorrow, US officials close to the court reported that Saddam ended his hunger strike with a meal of beef, rice and fruit.

"I was brought here by force by the Americans, but I did not resist them because I have too much self-respect," he said, urging the court to excuse him, and adding that he had been brought directly from hospital.

"I refuse the lawyers that have been assigned to me, they will be considered enemies by the people," he declared.

Saddam's defence team is boycotting the trial and the court has named replacement counsel to represent him.

Abdel Rahman refused his request, and insisted the 68-year-old defendant remain to hear the defence case prepared on his behalf.

Saddam and seven former aides face charges of crimes against humanity relating to a crackdown on the Shiite town of Dujail following an assassination attempt on Saddam in 1982. They face the death penalty if convicted.



The ousted president appeared in his trademark grey business suit and called for Iraqis to resist occupying US forces.

"I call for the invaders to be hunted down and I call for a national truce, brotherhood and tolerance between Iraqis," he said, earning a sharp rebuke from the judge.

"Sixty Iraqis die every day, only two are killed by the Americans," admonished the judge, in one of several irritated exchanges between the two figures who have dominated the trial.

"A thousand people like you don't even scare my little finger," roared Saddam.



"I am not a terrorist trying to frighten you," countered the judge.

Saddam also objected to being brought to the trial during his hunger strike, which started following his evening meal on July 7.

"Three days ago I was taken to hospital and today I was brought here forcibly from the hospital. I was fed intravenously and by a nasal drip," he said.



Lieutenant Colonel Keir-Kevin Curry, spokesman of US detainee operations said Saddam voluntarily received nutrition through a feeding tube, but would not specify whether the tube was in his nose or mouth.