US To Hand Over Saddam 'At Appropriate Time' - 2004-06-15

President Bush says the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq will hand over former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to the new interim Iraqi government "at an appropriate time."

At the White House on Tuesday, Mr. Bush said the coalition wants to ensure that there is sufficient security to ensure that Saddam stands trial.

Top Iraqi officials have said they understand that Saddam will be handed over by the June 30th transfer of sovereignty.

In a separate development, U.S. Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt said there may be casualties following an attack on a convoy of civilian contractors near the Baghdad airport.

And an Islamist web site has posted a message purportedly from an al-Qaida-linked group led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi that claims responsibility for Monday's car bombing in Baghdad that killed 13 people.