Saddam Hussein's chief lawyer called on world leaders on Thursday to prevent the United States from handing over the ousted president to Iraqi authorities for execution.
Khalil al-Dulaimi argued that Saddam enjoys protection from his enemies as a "war prisoner." "According to the international conventions it is forbidden to hand a prisoner of war to his adversary," the lawyer said, according to the AP.
"I urge all the international and legal organizations, the United Nations secretary-general, the Arab League and all the leaders of the world to rapidly prevent the American administration from handing the president to the Iraqi authorities," he was quoted as saying.
An official close to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said that Saddam would remain in a U.S. military prison until he is handed over to Iraqi authorities on the day of his execution.
