Saddam on hunger strike

Deposed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has gone on hunger strike to protest the killing of his lawyer, his lead lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi said today.

8216;8216;Saddam and 55 other detainees former regime officials are on a hunger strike since yesterday after the killing of Khamis al-Obeidi,8217;8217; said Dulaimi.

Dulaimi said Saddam and the others wanted US and international committees to give guarantees 8216;8216;for the security of the other defence lawyers.8217;8217;

A US military spokesman, on being contacted about the protest, said he was 8216;8216;unaware of the strike and will check it out.8217;8217;