Libya's Gaddafi says US, Britain must try Saddam

TRIPOLI, Dec 30 (Reuters) Saddam Hussein is a prisoner of war and must be tried by Iraq's invaders, the United States and Britain, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said.

''Saddam Hussein is a prisoner of war ... He's been overthrown by foreign invading forces, not by the Iraqi army or the Iraqi people,'' Gaddafi said yesterday.

''The countries that captured him should try him -- America or Britain -- because all Iraq is under occupation, including the judges and the lawyers,'' he told reporters in Tripoli.

Iraqi officials said yesterday that Saddam may be hanged within hours, and the prime minister met US officials to determine whether the execution could go ahead before a week-long religious holiday.

He was found guilty over the killing, torture and other crimes against the Shi'ite population of the town of Dujail after militants tried to assassinate him there in 1982, during Iraq's war with Shi'ite Iran.

Gaddafi said the International Court of Justice and the General Assembly of the United Nations must give their point of view on the case.

''Where is the world's conscience?'' he said.

Reuters SBA VP0450