London, Feb 16: Saddam Hussein is unlikely to stand trial for at least another two years, a British newspaper quoted a top Iraqi lawyer as saying today. Salem Chalabi, who is coordinating the toppled dictator's trial, told the guardian ''there are frustrations'' over establishing a war crimes tribunal to try him on charges that could include genocide and crimes against humanity. The paper said delays have been caused by the need to select and screen judges, prepare courts and establish well-guarded jails to hold suspects. ''I think it will take two years to get to Saddam being tried,'' said Chalabi, a US-educated Iraqi lawyer and nephew of governing council member Ahmad Chalabi. The United States last month declared Saddam a prisoner of war, meaning he has certain specific rights under the Geneva convention on treatment of PoWs.

That provoked demonstrations in Baghdad by Iraqis opposed to the move, who also demanded that Saddam face the death penalty.


Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said in Kuwait yesterday the US-backed Iraqi governing council would ask Washington to hand over Saddam and to remove his status as a PoW when Iraqis take over power on June 30.

Bureau Report