Fallen Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussain should get a fair trial, otherwise the US will be able to "get away with murder" and capture any world leader it wants in the future, former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohammad said yesterday.

"We are interested to see that justice is done, even in the case of Saddam Hussain, because a principle is about to be set here," Mahathir told reporters.

He was announcing details of the international Emergency Committee for Iraq that was formed on Wednesday to ensure a fair trial for Saddam and other officials of the former Iraqi government that was ousted by US forces two years ago.

The committee is co-chaired by Mahathir, former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark, former Algerian President Ahmad Bin Bella and former French Foreign Minister Roland Dumas.

Mahathir said the US occupation of Iraq set a dangerous precedent of legitimising invasion of countries by accusing their leaders of wrongdoing.

"If it is accepted that the people who launch a war, and capture heads of governments can then put this head of government on trial, then other heads of governments will face this danger," he said.

Mahathir's 22 years in office until September 2003 were marked by an almost hostile attitude toward Washington but at the same time, full-fledged cooperation in the fight against terror.

This dual policy earned him respect among moderate Muslims, as well as US-critics. Mahathir said US President George W Bush's strong arm policy in Iraq needed to be constantly questioned.

"Otherwise he is going to get away with murder because he does anything he likes ... on the basis that he is very strong therefore no one should even comment on what he does.

"We need to create an awareness. If you don't create awareness it will be silent acquiescence, the acceptance of the behaviour of a great, great power when it comes to their abuse of international norms," he said.

Saddam and his 11 top lieutenants are being held at an undisclosed location, believed to be near the Baghdad International Airport west of the capital.

They will be tried by the Iraqi Special Tribunal that was set up in late 2003 after Saddam was toppled.

Saddam, 68, and his lieutenants appeared before the tribunal in July 2004 to face preliminary charges for war crimes and genocide. No date for a trial has been set.