Defence lawyer urges world leaders to save Saddam

DUBAI, Dec 28 (Reuters) Saddam Hussein's chief defence lawyer urged world leaders today to stop US authorities handing over the former president to the Iraqi government ahead of his expected execution.

''I urge all international organisations, the United Nations, the Arab League and world leaders, to intervene urgently with the American administration to prevent the president from being turned over to the Iraqi authorities,'' Khalil al-Dulaimi told Reuters by telephone.

Dulaimi denounced the US-backed appeals court which this week upheld Saddam's death sentence for crimes against humanity and which said it had to be carried out within 30 days.

''Saddam is a prisoner of war and, according to international law, he should not be handed to his enemies,'' Dulaimi said.

REUTERS SP RK2322