The trial had resumed earlier today, but without Saddam or his lawyers attending the proceedings.
Only three of the seven defendants attended, with court-appointed defense lawyers.
The trial had been briefly delayed due to what courtroom sources said were procedural issues. It first resumed in a closed session then it opened to the news media.
Earlier, defense lawyers for Saddam vowed not to attend, demanding that the presiding judge, Ra'uf Rashid Abd al-Rahman, be taken off the case. They accuse the judge of bias against Saddam.
In a chaotic session on 29 January, Saddam and his lawyers walked out as al-Rahman tried to stamp his authority on the proceedings, saying he would not tolerate outbursts and political statements from the defendants and their lawyers.
Hussein and seven co-defendants face charges in connection with the killing of more than 140 Shi'ites after a 1982 assassination attempt on Hussein in the town of Al-Dujayl.
(compiled from agency reports)
