Saddam Hussein must either be released from custody by June 30 or charged if the US and the new Iraqi Government are to conform to international law, the International Committee of the Red Cross has said. http://theage.com.au/articles/2004/06/14/1087065086541.html

Nada Doumani, a spokeswoman for the ICRC, told the London-based Guardian newspaper: "The United States defines Saddam Hussein as a prisoner of war. At the end of an occupation POWs have to be released provided they have no penal charges against them."

"If we consider the occupation ends on June 30, that would mean it's the end of the international armed conflict," Ms Doumani said. "This is the legal situation. When the conflict ends the prisoners of war should be released according to the Geneva Convention."