Related: Saddam trial resumes in Baghdad

    BEIJING, Dec. 6 -- On the eve of Saddam Hussein's Monday's trial hearing, residents in the Iraqi town of Dujail have voiced their opinions, appealing for the government to deal with mounting violence.

    One resident says Saddam's era is over. He adds that it's crucial to focus on Iraq's present situation.

    "If Saddam is a criminal or murderer he should be held to account before the court. Saddam's role is over. We should talk about our suffering at the moment, about conditions in the country", he said. 

    He says the Iraqi government should attach more importance to issues such as unemployment and injustices suffered by people.

    Another resident describes the first two hearings as formalities. He says the Iraqi people want justice.

    Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark is the lead advisor to Saddam's defense team. He has flown to Baghdad on Sunday. He has stressed this is his first chance to talk to the former Iraqi president about the trial.

    This is because the chief judge in the last trial had adjourned the session for a week last Monday.

    This was to allow time to find replacements for two slain defense lawyers. Another had fled the country after being wounded.

    A number of attacks have come on the eve Saddam's trial resumption. A car bomb was detonated on Sunday. The blast had occurred next to a car carrying Iraq's chief justice, Midhat al-Mahmoudi. He's serves as head of the Supreme Judicial Council of Baghdad's Qudat area.

    Meanwhile, a crowd of about 60 men has attacked former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi. This has occurred at the Imam Ali mosque in the Shiite holy city of Najaf.

    Monday's upcoming session is the former Iraqi president's third trial since opening proceedings on October 19. At the proceedings he had been charged with murder, torture, forced expulsion and illegal detention.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)