AMMAN, Jordan - Saddam Hussein's chief lawyer warned Sunday of worsening violence in Iraq and chaos across the Mideast if the ex-president is sentenced to death at his trial for a crackdown on a Shiite Muslim village in the 1980s.

Khalil al-Dulaimi also said he would break a monthlong boycott and attend proceedings Monday when Saddam's second trial resumes on separate charges of genocide against the Kurds.

Ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein stands as a witness (not seen) is sworn in for testimony during his trial held in Baghdada??s heavily fortified Green Zone on October 19. Saddam's defence team has drafted a letter to US President George W. Bush warning of dire consequences if an Iraqi court issues a verdict against the ousted Iraqi president for crimes against humanity.[AFP]

A verdict in Saddam's first trial is expected Nov. 5. He and seven others are charged with crimes against humanity in connection with the killing of 148 Shiites from Dujail after a 1982 assassination attempt against him.

Conviction carries a maximum penalty of death by hanging, but can be appealed to a higher court.

Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, denied speculation that the timing of the verdict was set to coincide with midterm elections in the United States.

"That decision was made by the Iraqi judges," he told CNN on Sunday when asked about the verdict being scheduled two days ahead of the elections.

The United States assists the court with logistics and security, Khalilzad said. "But we don't determine the date for holding the meetings or the trial or the date for making the decision or announcing the decision with regard to Saddam Hussein."

Al-Dulaimi told The Associated Press in Jordan that he warned of a civil war in Iraq in a letter sent recently to President Bush.

"I warned him against the death penalty and against any other decision that would inflame a civil war in Iraq and send fire throughout the region," al-Dulaimi said in a telephone interview from Baghdad. He did not say when he sent the letter to Bush.

"Any foolish American decision will further complicate things and will pose a serious threat to U.S. interests in the region," al-Dulaimi said.

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