AMMAN, Aug. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's family on Monday dismissed all members of his defence team and authorized only an Iraqi lawyer.

    "From today, none of the lawyers, except Iraqi lawyer Khalil Dulaimi, will have the right to act on behalf of Saddam," the family announced in a statement, signed by Raghad, Saddam's eldest daughter.

    The announcement was made due to various comments by some lawyers of the defence team, which harmed the interests of the team, local media reported.

    Saddam's defence team was formed in early 2004, which included about 1,500 lawyers from some Western and Arab countries. Saddam, who was toppled in April 2003 and captured eight months later, is now in US custody near Baghdad. No trial date has been set. Enditem