Radical Arab militants have been trickling into Iraq to join the fight of Ba'athists and radical Islamists against US forces. But another,non-violent Arab contingent of volunteers has been gearing up for battle on a different front the defence of Saddam Hussein.

During the past year, the committee for the defence of Mr Hussein, known by its acronym Isnad, has swelled to more than 2,500 lawyers. Some are Iraqis, led by Mr Hussein's head lawyer, Khalil al-Duleimi. But the majority come from Arab states, with Jordan providing as many as 600 of the legal experts. In Libya, the head of the support committee is Aisha, the daughter of Colonel Muammer Gadaffi.