Saddam Hussein's wife and daughters, who were taking a refuge in Jordan, demanded Tuesday that their "beloved one" should be tried by an international court and not by a tribunal affiliated with the US-handpicked Iraqi Governing Council. 

Raghad, the eldest daughter said in an audio interview with al-Arabiya that they will defend their father and "this is his right on us as his daughters and wife."

"He should not be tried by the Governing Council which was installed by the occupiers," Raghad said, on behalf of her mother, Sajida, and her two sisters, Rana and Hala.

She added that they will bring him lawyers from all over the world no matter how much it costs.

Raghad said that they felt extreme pain to hear the news of their father's arrest, and that she could not look at her father in that situation.

"They (Americans) must have narcotized him," Raghad said and added that those who know him know that he cannot be taken as easy as that.

"The lion will always be a lion, even in fetters," she said emphasizing that she is proud that the man who appeared on TV is her father.

In February 1996, Saddam ordered to have the husbands of Raghad and Rana killed and the operation was supervised by Uday and Qusay, Saddam's two sons.

Raghad started the interview by citing a Koranic verse that orders Muslims to respect and care for their parents.

Observers said that she might have deliberately said that to indicate that she is committed to her father out respect first and love second.

US officials had said the Saddam will be tried just and fair but how and when to try the top captive remained undecided.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2003)