Saddam transferred to Iraqi custody: defence lawyer

DUBAI, Dec 29 (Reuters) US officials have transferred former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to Iraqi custody, the chief defence lawyer told Reuters today.

''The American side has notified us that they have handed over the president to the Iraqi authorities,'' said Khalil al-Dulaimi, head of Saddam's defence team.

''They told us the president is no longer under the authority of the American forces and they requested us not to go to Baghdad,'' he said.

Senior Iraqi officials have dismissed mounting speculation, including from Washington, that they could hang Saddam within hours and said some in the cabinet were pushing for it to be put off for a month or more.

But a defence lawyer said he thought Saddam might well die tomorrow after lawyers were told to collect his belongings.

REUTERS LL HS2248