Dr Mahathir Mohammad wants the United Nations (UN) to immediately investigate the killing of a lawyer involved in the trial of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

The former premier is concerned over the trial as defence attorney of Saddam's fellow accused, Saadoun Al-Janabi, was killed in under suspicious circumstances.

"The security is less of a responsibility of Iraqis as it is of the United States and Britain as the occupying forces. They must take this matter seriously," he said in a Bernama report.

Mahathir stressed that it was crucial that Saddam is ensured a fair trial, adding that defence attorneys cannot properly defend their clients unless their own security is guaranteed.

Saadoun was representing Awad Haman Bander, former chief of Saddam's Revolutionary Court. He was abducted by unidentified men from his office in Baghdad on Oct 20 and later found dead.

Resume Nov 28

Saddam's trial began in Baghdad on Oct 19 but the court recessed until Nov 28, as he defence lawyers needed more time to prepare their cases.

The disposed Iraqi premier and seven associates are charged with the 1982 killing of 143 people from the town of Dujail, and if convicted faces a possible death penalty.

Dr Mahathir is a member of the Emergency Committee for Iraq, set up to ensure Saddam's right to a fair and lawful trial. Other members include former United States Attorney-General Ramsey Clark, Algerian President Ahmed Ben Bella and former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas.