[JURIST] The family of Saddam Hussein told reporters Sunday that the Iraqi Special Tribunal [official website] has blocked its attempt to replace the former dictator's massive Jordan-based legal team. Earlier this month, Hussein's family dissolved said it was dissolving the fractious collection of some 2000 lawyers [JURIST report] and had appointed Iraqi lawyer Khalil Dulaimi as lead counsel, alleging Saddam was receiving inadequate legal representation. In a letter to the family, the Tribunal denied the family's authority in the matter, insisting that "the exclusive right to empower any lawyer or to cancel any power of attorney is for defendant Saddam Hussein". The decision means that Khaleel Abood Saleh Aldelami remains lead counsel [IST Hussein defense counsel list]; it is unclear if Hussein himself will request a change. Reuters has more.