Saddam's judges appointed

Iraq's US-appointed Governing Council has chosen judges and prosecutors to try Saddam Hussein, but their identities are being kept secret for fear the toppled dictator's supporters will hunt them down.

Salem Chalabi, a US-educated lawyer who is director-general of administration for the special tribunal set up to prosecute Saddam, said yesterday seven investigative judges and five prosecutors would take charge of the case.

"They cannot be named due to security concerns," said Mr Chalabi, who has received death threats from Saddam supporters.

The Iraqi dictator was toppled by a US-led invasion just over a year ago and then captured by US troops on December 13 while hiding in a hole near his hometown of Tikrit.

Mr Chalabi said the judges and prosecutors were chosen by the Governing Council after consultations, a move likely to be questioned by Iraqis who complain the United States and its Iraqi allies have failed to deliver true democracy.

He said the trial would be open to the public, something that Iraqis have been hoping for so that Saddam would reveal the extent of his ties to past US and Arab officials during his 24 years in power.

"It may not be televised live, but it will be a trial that is open to the public," he told Reuters.