Deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein appeared at his first trial in Baghdad Wednesday, telling the court he didn't recognize it and refusing to identify himself.
Much of the Arabic world was glued to live television coverage of the trial, which is taking place in the heavily fortified Green Zone of Baghdad in a building that was once the headquarters for Saddam's Baathist party, CNN said.
Saddam spoke first and said he "preserves his constitutional right" not to answer the court in his capacity as president.
The former dictator and seven of his followers are charged with a 1982 massacre in the Sunni-Shiite town of Dujail, about 50 miles north of Baghdad.
Saddam's attorney, Khalil Dulaimi, said Tuesday he would ask for a delay of at least three months to further prepare for the trial before a five-judge panel.
The New York Times said the area where the defendants sat, most of them wearing light-blue or white robes, was surrounded by barriers of white metal bars.
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