Saddam trial judge seeks to resign for 'personal reasons'

THE chief judge in the trial of Saddam Hussein has asked to resign.

The tribunal said yesterday that Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin submitted his resignation for "personal reasons" and not because of government pressure. It said the trial of Saddam and seven co-defendants would reconvene on January 24 as scheduled despite the uncertainties surrounding Mr Amin.

A member of the five-judge panel said that the tribunal was still considering whether to appoint another judge to take Mr Amin's place. He said officials had asked Mr Amin to reconsider.