Saddam trial postponed until Sunday

The court put off the hearing, which would have been the eighth since the trial began three months ago, because some witnesses were unable to attend, according to investigating judge Raed al-Juhi.

"Due to the fact some of the complainants could not make it to attend the court, some of them are out of Iraq and some are on pilgrimage, the court decided to postpone the session until Sunday," he said, reading a court statement to reporters.

Saddam and seven co-defendants face charges including murder and torture over the massacre of more than 140 Shiites following an attempt on the life of the ousted dictator in 1982 in the village of Dujail.