Saddam to face charges in days

SADDAM Hussein will appear before an Iraqi judge in the “next few days” to face charges related to his 23 years of misrule, Iraqi and coalition officials said in Baghdad.

The disclosure came only hours after the US-led coalition handed power to an Iraqi interim government in a ceremony in Baghdad.

"Over the next few days, the Iraqi authorities will be taking custody of 12 senior members of the previous regime, including Saddam Hussein," said Salem Chalabi, an Iraqi official in charge of setting up a tribunal. The ousted Iraqi leader however, will remain in the hands of US troops, Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt said.