Saddam's hunger strike only 1 meal

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Saddam Hussein ended a brief hunger strike after missing just one meal in his U.S.-run prison, a U.S. military spokesman said on Friday.

The former Iraqi leader had refused lunch on Thursday in protest after the killing of one of his lawyers by gunmen, but the spokesman said he ate his evening meal.

Former Saddam aides being held in the same prison had refused to eat three meals since Wednesday evening but ended their fast with the ex-president.

"They all took their dinner meal," the spokesman said.

Saddam is on trial for crimes against humanity for his role in the 1982 killing of 148 Shiites in Dujail. His lead counsel, Khalil al-Dulaimi, has blamed pro-government Shiite militias for the murder of his deputy Khamis al-Obeidi on Wednesday.