Saddam Hussein in court for trial

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The trial of ex-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein for alleged war crimes and genocide against the Kurds in the 1980s has resumed in Baghdad.

Proceedings were suspended two weeks ago after Saddam Hussein was ejected after defying instructions from the judge to be quiet.

A key defence lawyer has said his team will continue to boycott the trial.

Saddam Hussein has already been tried for the killing of 148 Shias in Dujail in 1982 and a judgement is awaited.

The defendants, Saddam Hussein and six former senior officials, were all present in for the opening of proceedings on Monday.

Break for calm

The last session of the current trial ended in chaos after Saddam Hussein and co-defendant, Ali Hassan al-Majid, were ejected.

The remaining five defendants rose to their feet, shouting at the judge.

The defence team of lawyers was also absent.

The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says the long break was clearly designed to calm things down and allow time for the defendants to consult their legal team.

The team met Saddam Hussein a week ago but leading defence counsel, Khalil al-Dulaimi, has said the defence will continue to boycott the trial.

The defence is protesting about the replacement of former chief judge, Abdullah al-Amiri, following accusations of bias towards the former president.

New Chief Judge Mohammed Oreibi al-Khalifa has been much tougher on the defendants.

During the recess the new judge's brother-in-law was murdered by gunmen in Baghdad.

More than 100,000 Kurds are said to have died during the Anfal operation in 1988.

The trial has heard testimony from witnesses about how homes were razed and villagers killed or displaced.

The defence says the attacks were legitimate strikes against Kurds who were siding with Iranian forces.

The verdict in the Dujail trial on Saddam Hussein and seven separate defendants is expected this month.