Fred Harteis News - Defense attorney: Hussein 'believes in his fate'

Fred Harteis News - Two defense attorneys on Thursday told Saddam Hussein in his jail cell that his death sentence has been upheld.

"He was not surprised at this. But he believes in his fate, and his only concern is the unity of the Iraqi people," chief defense attorney Khalil al-Dulaimi told CNN in Amman, Jordan.

Al-Dulaimi described the former Iraqi dictator's morale as "normal."

Hussein was convicted on November 5 for crimes against humanity in connection with the killings of 148 people after an attempt on his life. His death sentence was upheld Tuesday by an appellate court. Hussein was not in attendance.

Hussein's execution by hanging must take place before January 27 -- or within 30 days after the Iraqi High Tribunal upheld the death sentence -- according to chief Judge Aref Shaheen.
"He believes in his destiny," the attorney said.

Al-Dulaimi said that neither the defense team nor Hussein's family have been given an execution date.

The U.S. State Department also says it has not been told when Hussein will be executed.

Iraqi law requires that the family be allowed to visit the day before the execution and that they be notified by the prison administration of the date the sentence is to be carried out.

A senior Bush administration official said Thursday that the execution is likely to be "a couple of days" from now.

Under international law, most governments have the power to stay any executions, but Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has said his government would not do so in Hussein's case.

Hussein was sentenced to death for his role in the 1982 killings of 148 people in Dujail, a mostly Shiite town north of Baghdad, following an attempt on his life.

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Source; Cnn.com

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