CAMPAIGNING for the first post-Saddam Hussein elections got under way in Iraq yesterday amid more bloodshed, as the ousted president met his family-appointed lawyers for the first time since his capture a year ago.

Saddam Hussein held talks with his defence lawyer today – the first meeting since his capture a year ago.

A suicide bomber killed 13 people in an attack today next to the heavily fortified area in central Baghdad housing the interim government and US embassy, while eight US Marines died in combat in western Iraq.

Saddam Hussein’s first meeting with a defence lawyer was abruptly cancelled today, apparently because of pressure exerted by US authorities on the special Iraqi tribunal trying him, the chief of the former dictator’s legal team said.

Members of Saddam Hussein’s ousted regime are considering suing the Bush administration in the World Court for alleged war crimes in Iraq, the chief of the fallen dictator’s legal team said today.

Saddam Hussein’s eldest daughter is insisting on personally endorsing the appointment of any lawyer defending her father in his forthcoming trial, a move apparently aimed at undercutting Iraqi efforts to recruit a defence team.

The interrogation of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has stopped until he appoints lawyers, the director of the Iraqi Special Tribunal said.

Arab countries, including Libya, are contributing to a legal defence fund for toppled Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, a French lawyer said in Paris.

SADDAM Hussein's aides yesterday rubbished US reports that some of the president's family had fled abroad and said the fate of Saddam and his relatives remained tied to that of the Iraqi people.