Saddam's Dujail trial to re-convene on Oct 16

BAGHDAD, Oct 3 (Reuters) The Iraqi High Tribunal, trying Saddam Hussein for the killing of 148 Shi'ites in the town of Dujail, today said the case was to re-convene on October 16 to ''review'' witness testimonies and evidences.

Court spokesman Raed al-Jouhi refused to comment on whether the trial would hear a verdict on that day. But a senior source in the court told Reuters a verdict was expected to be announced within days of the session.

''The court will review everything, if it decides that everything is ready, a date for a verdict would be announced for no later than 10 days after the review,'' he said.

Saddam, also on a trial for genocide against ethnic Kurds, faces the death penalty by hanging for his role in the killings that occurred after a failed assassination attempt against him in 1982.

REUTERS LL HT1940