BAGHDAD, Iraq Saddam Hussein has been hospitalized, on the 17th day of a hunger strike.
The chief prosecutor in his trial says the health of the former Iraqi leader "is unstable because of the hunger strike."

He told The Associated Press Saddam is being "fed by a tube."

Saddam and three others have refused meals since dinner on July Seventh, although U-S military officials have said the three drink coffee and water with nutrients.

His chief attorney says the Saddam went on the hunger strike to demand better security for his lawyers after one of them was killed last month.

Saddam is 69.