PARIS, July 7: Saddam Hussein's defence team aims to drag out his planned trial and pressure its Iraqi judges in the hope the United Nations will intervene and appoint other magistrates, one of his lawyers said on Tuesday.

Frenchman Emmanuel Ludot, back in Paris after a meeting with the ousted Iraqi leader's defence team in Jordan, said he was driven to defend Saddam by the belief that every defendant deserved a good defence.

Saddam's wife and two daughters have asked an international team of lawyers to represent him, but US and Iraqi authorities have not sought Saddam's confirmation of this or allowed them access to him, he said.

The former president appeared before an Iraqi judge last Thursday to face charges that could lead to a formal indictment for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

"Our work will be to ensure this court does not function, that it is paralysed as long as possible," Mr Ludot told a news conference. "It is out of the question that this court can judge, hold session or work under the conditions the Americans have prepared for it." Newly sovereign Iraq will try Saddam Hussein, but Mr Ludot said he thought US officials were pulling the strings behind the scenes. -Reuters