The Guardian reports that Saddam's trial is two years away. The delay is due to the Iraq special tribunal for crimes against humanity which will not get underway until October or November. The tribunal will try some Ba'ath party officials first.

"I think it will take two years to get to Saddam being tried," said Salem Chalabi, one of the architects of the court and a nephew of the influential Iraqi exile Ahmad Chalabi, head of the Iraqi National Congress.

The need to select and screen judges, prepare courts and establish well-guarded jails to hold the suspects have led to delays. "There are frustrations," said Mr Chalabi. The court has to balance the demand of most Iraqis for a rapid show trial of Saddam and his deputies with the need to establish an impartial model for the new judiciary.

"It is a balance that we have to work here between trying to protect defendants' rights and meet international standards of due process of law and the wish of the Iraqis for quick vengeance," said Mr Chalabi.

Update: In other Saddam news, the Iraqi Governing Council is seeking to strip Saddam of his POW status.