Saddam: Hunger strike off

2006-02-12 14:24

Amman - Saddam Hussein will not go on a hunger strike on Monday, his chief defence lawyer said, retracting an earlier statement that the former Iraqi president was planning to start the protest when his trial resumed.

"We have now checked and it seems almost certain that the president no longer plans a hunger strike at least tomorrow as we thought earlier ... though some of his colleagues may," chief lawyer Khalil Dulaimi told Reuters.

"The idea was being discussed, but we now have conclusive information the hunger strike is not on Monday," said Dulaimi, who had earlier confirmed comments by his deputy Khamis al-Aubeidi that the hunger strike was planned.

- Reuters