WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- The US government on Wednesday rejected toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's claim that Americans had beaten him in custody, calling the accusation "preposterous."

    In reaction to Saddam's charge on Wednesday, White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters: "I think that's one of the most preposterous things I've heard from Saddam Hussein recently."

    "Saddam Hussein is being treated the exact opposite of the way his regime treated those he imprisoned and tortured simply for expressing their opinions, and so I reject that," McClellan said.

    The trial of Saddam Hussein and seven of his codefendants resumed in Baghdad on Wednesday with Saddam telling the court that he was beaten by the Americans while in custody.

    "I have been hit by the Americans and tortured," he said, adding "I've been beaten on every place of my body and the signs are all over my body."

    US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack described Saddam'saccusation as "high ironic" and said that there was no evidence to substantiate his claim. Enditem