Saddam: Americans tortured me 

Baghdad - The trial of Saddam Hussein adjourned until Thursday, capping a session highlighted by the former leader's allegation that he was beaten by his American captors.

"I have been hit by the Americans and tortured. Yes, I've been beaten on every place of my body and the signs are all over my body," the deposed Iraqi president said on Wednesday.

The trial's chief prosecutor said that if American-led multinational forces had abused Saddam, he would be transferred into the custody of Iraqi troops. The prosecutor, Jaafar al-Mousawi, said he would investigate.

Speaking in Washington, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack described Saddam's claim as "highly ironic" and said he knew of nothing to substantiate it.

"Look, he's been given to grandstanding in this trial, but where the focus should be is on the testimony of those people who were victimised ... That's what people should be listening to."

Just three of the four prosecution witnesses scheduled to give evidence on Wednesday had time to take the stand before the presiding judge called the adjournment at 8.40pm (1740 GMT).

Saddam, 68, on trial for mass murder, has been detained by US forces since his capture two years ago.-- Al-Jazeera News

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