Seselj ends hunger strike-UN war crimes tribunal

AMSTERDAM, Dec 8 (Reuters) Serbian ultranationalist leader Vojislav Seselj has ended his huger strike in detention, the UN war crimes tribunal today said, after its Appeals Chamber granted Seselj's request to represent himself.

Seselj is on trial in the Hague charged with war crimes against non-Serbs in the 1990s.

''Vojislav Seselj has informed the tribunal that he will resume taking foodstuffs and receive medical attention, ending his refusal since 11 November 2006 to do so,'' the court said in a statement.

''The trial of Seselj is suspended until such time as he is fit enough to fully participate in the proceeding as a self-represented accused,'' the tribunal said.

Seselj launched a hunger strike to press demands including the right to defend himself and for lawyers appointed as his counsel by the court after his behaviour was deemed obstructive to be removed.

REUTERS SI RAI2300