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Saddam Pleads Not Guilty At Start of Trial


The trial against Saddam Hussein opened Wednesday with the former Iraqi leader challenging the judge and pleading not guilty to ordering a 1982 massacre.

Iraqi television broadcast the proceedings, in which Saddam rejected the court's authority and said he was still the nation's president.

Saddam's lawyer asked for more time to prepare, and the judge agreed to adjourn the proceedings until November 28th.

The 68-year-old former leader and seven co-defendants are accused of ordering the 1982 massacre after a failed attempt on Saddam's life. The seven former regime members also pleaded not guilty.

In Washington, a White House spokesman, Scott McClellan said the trial showed that the rule of law is returning to Iraq.

Meanwhile, Iraqi police arrested a nephew of Saddam, Yasir Sabhawi. The Associated Press quoted officials as saying Mr. Sabhawi is accused of financing insurgents in the country.
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