Saddam's trial may be postponed indefinitely

Saddam Hussein's trial may have to be put on hold indefinitely as long as Iraq's security crisis continues, prosecutors have revealed.

Intimidation of Iraqi judges asked to try the former dictator has got so bad the trial may have to be heard abroad.

Officials in charge of Iraq's tribunal for crimes against humanity say five potential candidates have been killed in the past year.

"Due to the poor security situation they are refusing to be members of the court," said Dara Nor al-Din, a former member of Iraq's Governing Council.

Saddam, thought to be in a US-run jail in Iraq, was due to be transferred into Iraqi custody this summer as part of the handover of power on 30 June. But officials say there is no Iraqi-run jail that could hold him without the risk of him being sprung free.