Jailed Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein will go on trial after Iraq's election in January, the country's transportation minister Louei Hatim Sultan Al Aris said.
"It won't take so long, but it will take place after the January election," Al Aris said on Monday after participating in a think tank discussion in Washington on Iraq's planned January 30 election.
Iraqi officials had previously said Saddam's trial would open before the scheduled election.
Asked what body will oversee the trial in Iraq, Al Aris replied, "It's a sort of independent institute that was formed from Iraqi judges (that) is going to question him."
Captured in December 2003, the former Iraqi strongman is currently in US custody.
US officials have said 21 investigative judges have been preparing the groundwork for the historic trial, but that unrest has hampered the collection of evidence.
Saddam, who held the power of life and death over his subjects during his long reign, faces seven charges including war crimes and crimes against humanity.
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