A number of demonstrators in Saddam Hussein's home village of al-Awjah, some 10 km south of Tikrit, rallied on Wednesday to protest against Saddam's trial.

Demonstrators held large pictures of the ousted president and banners which read "we sacrifice our blood and soul for you Saddam" and shot in the air to support him and express their anger, alocal journalist told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

However, the police did not appear in the streets this time,although they intervened to end a similar demonstration involving hundreds of protesters on Tuesday night in Tikrit, some 170 km north of Baghdad, when two civilians were injured by random shooting.

Saddam and his seven former aides are on trial for charges of crimes against humanity over the alleged killing of 148 Shiite Muslims in Dujail, north of Baghdad, after an attempt on Saddam's life in 1982.

The trial was scheduled to resume on Wednesday after a lengthy proceeding on Tuesday during which five witnesses gave their testimonies including two women who testified behind screen with their voices disguised to protect their identities.

All the accused have pleaded not guilty since the trial started on Oct. 19.