WASHINGTON, Dec. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Tuesday that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has taken the lead in the interrogation of captured former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

    "I have asked (CIA Director) George Tenet to be responsible for the handling of the interrogation of Saddam Hussein, and he and his people will be the regulator over the interrogations," Rumsfeld told reporters at a Pentagon news conference.

    Rumsfeld described Saddam's demeanor as resigned since his capture Saturday night near Tikrit. He said the ousted Iraqi leader is being held at an undisclosed location in Iraq and is being treated humanely.

    "He is being accorded the protection of a POW, but he is not being legally described as one at this stage," Rumsfeld said. Enditem