New judge found to try Saddam Hussein

BAGHDAD, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- A new judge has been found in Iraq by the tribunal charged with trying deposed dictator Saddam Hussein in place of the one who recently resigned.

Saeed al-Hameesh, a member of the five-judge panel trying Hussein on war crimes, is expected to take up his new chief judge post when the trial resumes next week, reports Sky News.

He succeeds Rizgar Mohammed Amin, who resigned for "personal reasons." However, the resignation reportedly is yet to be accepted by the Iraqi government.

The head of the Iraqi High Tribunal, Jamal Mustafa, will officially announce any replacement.