TV footages show Saddam Hussein making his appearance in an Iraqi tribunal, July 1, 2004. (Xinhua/AFP file Photo)

    BEIJING, April 28 -- Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has been reported to be in healthy condition before his 68th birthday today.

    Ziad al-Khasawneh, the chief of Saddam's legal team told the media hours after a defense lawyer conferred with him.

    "After our colleague Khalil al-Duleimi finished the interview with the President Saddam, he said to me by phone that the president is in good health and high spirits. " he said.

    The legal team, which is based in Jordan, still regards Saddam as the legal president of Iraq.

    It was Saddam's second meeting with a member of the team since U.S. soldiers captured him in an underground hiding place near Tikrit, Iraq, in December 2003.

    The U.S. forces, who are holding Saddam in an unspecified location, have refused to allow family members to see him.

    Saddam's legal team, which includes at least 22 lead lawyers and 1,500 volunteers, was endorsed by Saddam himself.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)