Saddam on hunger strike for five days: US

Baghdad, Jul 13: Saddam Hussein and three of his co-defendants have been on hunger strike for five days in protest at court procedures and the killing of their defence lawyers, the US military said yesterday.

A spokesman, who declined to identify the other three, said all four had refused meals since Friday evening but were in good health.

Saddam's lawyer said the protest had lasted for seven days and he was concerned about the former president's health.

''Saddam and three co-defendants have now refused meals since the evening meal on July seven,'' said Lieutenant Colonel Keir-Kevin Curry, spokesman for the US military's detentions command.

''Saddam Hussein is drinking coffee with sugar and water with nutrients and all continue to take medication,'' he added.

''All are protesting the Iraqi High Tribunal procedures and security for the defence attorneys.

''Despite their refusal to eat their meals they are in good health and receiving appropriate medical care.'' Saddam's lead lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi told Reuters: ''President Saddam Hussein's health has started to deteriorate because he is on a hunger strike for the seventh straight day and he is refusing to end the hunger strike.'' ''We are very concerned about a deterioration in his health.'' Dulaimi said a representative of the defence had been in to see Saddam today.

The 69-year old is on trial for crimes against humanity, along with three senior aides and four minor officials of his Baath party.

The trial was adjourned yesterday until July 24, when court-appointed lawyers are due to sum up in Saddam's defence.

Saddam and his senior co-accused did not appear in court this week. Nor did their lawyers, who announced a boycott to further their demands for a full inquiry into the killing of defence lawyer Khamis al-Obaidi last month and an improvement in security provision for them and their families.

Obaidi was the third defence lawyer killed since the trial began in October. Colleagues blame sectarian death squads bent on denying the Sunni Arab leader a fair trial and have urged that the US-sponsored proceedings be moved away from Baghdad.

REUTERS