Baghdad: In the latest in a series of delays involving the Saddam Hussein trial, Tuesday's court session was cancelled because a number of witnesses were not able to attend, a court official told CNN.
On Monday, officials had said the trial would resume with a new chief judge.
Raouf Rasheed Abdel-Rahman, a Kurd, will be the interim new chief judge, Raid Juhi, the chief investigator who prepared evidence for the case, said Monday.
Abdel-Rahman replaces Rizgar Mohammed Amin, who resigned January 15 for what he cited as "personal reasons."
Authorities had urged Amin to remain chief judge, or at least to remain on the five-judge panel, but were unable to persuade him.
Amin has been strongly criticized inside Iraq for allowing Hussein and his seven co-defendants to speak out of turn and make accusations against the court and the US occupation.
Saeed al-Hameshi was Amin's top adviser in the trial. He has now been transferred to another case, according to an official with the Iraqi High Tribunal who insisted on anonymity for security reasons.
No reason was given for al-Hameshi's dropping out, but he has faced allegations from Iraq's de-Baathification committee that he was a member of the Baath Party under Hussein.
The de-Baathification committee is working to ensure that Baath Party members do not play major roles in the new government.
A Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information, told CNN Sunday that he had seen no evidence suggesting al-Hameshi was in the Baath Party.
Authorities at the Iraqi High Tribunal said al-Hameshi will be replaced but did not publicly name his replacement.
The resignation was the latest complication in the trial, which began in October and has seen two defense lawyers assassinated and a another judge step down.
Former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark, a member of Hussein's defense team, has accused authorities of failing to provide acceptable protection for defense attorneys and their families.
Amin's own security has been compromised; he is the only judge whose name has been revealed. He has appeared in video of the proceedings creating a possible security risk.
By contrast, trial participants have refused to show their faces on court cameras, fearing retribution attacks by Hussein loyalists.
The proceedings have sometimes been interrupted by a combative Hussein with outbursts, heated exchanges and posturing.
Hussein and seven co-defendants face charges in the killings of more than 140 males in Dujail in 1982. The killings occurred after an assassination attempt on Hussein, Iraq's leader at the time.
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