The deposed Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein, has made a defiant appearance before a special tribunal in Baghdad to hear the list of charges that he is likely to face at his eventual trial next year.
The charges related to war crimes and genocide arising from actions including the invasion of Kuwait and the poison gas massacre of Kurdish civilians.
Reporters said Saddam defended Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, declared himself still Iraqi president and rejected the jurisdiction of the special tribunal. He branded US President George W Bush the ‘real criminal’.
Television pictures of the court proceedings were the first broadcast images of Saddam since his capture nearly seven months ago.
After the proceedings against Saddam, 11 of his leading lieutenants were before the court to hear charges against them.
They included the former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and Ali Hasan al-Majid, known as ‘Chemical Ali’, for his alleged role in using poison gas against Kurds and Iranians.
Several of Saddam Hussein's relatives were also among the group.
Although they are still guarded by US forces, the accused are no longer regarded as Prisoners of War but as detainees with legal protection under Iraq's judicial system.
