[JURIST] Saddam Hussein [JURIST news archive] on Thursday denounced US denials of his claims that he has been tortured [JURIST report] while held by US forces and argued that the US had also lied about Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction in the run up to the war in Iraq. Hussein made the remarks before the Iraqi Special Tribunal [official website] hearing his case after the court gave him an opportunity to cross-examine prosecution witnesses. The former Iraqi dictator called the White House "liars" and said US denials [CNN report; White House transcript] of his torture allegations [BBC report] could not be trusted because the US lied about Iraq's possession of chemical weapons. During the proceedings, Hussein also challenged the testimony of one witness who was 8 years old when the massacre of more than 140 at Dujail occurred in 1982. Hussein, who along with seven other former government officials is being tried for ordering the killings after a failed assassination attempt in the village, argued that testimony of those who were children at the time should not be used. Several other allegations were made throughout the day, with Hussein's half-brother and co-defendant accusing prosecutors of being former Baath party members [Reuters report] and a prosecutor seeking to taken off the case after insults from the dock. AP has more.

11:17 AM ET - AP is reporting that the Saddam Hussein trial [JURIST news archive] has been adjourned until January 24.