The trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and seven co-defendants is to resume in the capital Baghdad with the defence team's final statements.

The defendants are charged with crimes against humanity in relation to the deaths of 148 villagers in 1982 after an assassination attempt on Saddam.

The prosecution has demanded the execution of Saddam and two others.

The resumption comes amid continuing violence in Iraq - on Sunday more than 60 people died in bomb and gun attacks.

The prosecution made its final statements on 19 June, calling for the death penalty for Saddam Hussein, his half-brother Barzan al-Tikriti and former vice-president Taha Yassin Ramadan.

The trial was adjourned and judges will consider their verdict after final defence arguments, which begin on Monday and are expected to last two or three days.

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