Saddam faces charges for gassing Kurds

FORMER Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein faces a range of charges from gassing thousands of Kurds to executing political and religious leaders, a list of the cases against him showed yesterday.

Meanwhile, insurgents opposed to Iraq’s new government launched mortar attacks that killed six civilians in the country’s north, officials said.

Iraqi officials want the case against Saddam, who could face 500 charges if prosecutors want to proceed on all counts, to concentrate on about a dozen thoroughly-documented cases authorities believe the ousted leader will be convicted on.