Iraqi officials were trying to persuade the chief judge in the trial of Saddam Hussein not to resign after he announced he would quit in protest at government interference with the court.
"The government has sent a delegation to see him because they are afraid of the damage this will do to the credibility of the tribunal," one of the state prosecutors in the trial, Mumkidh Taklif al-Fatlawi, said.
Source close to Judge Amin
The killings of two defence lawyers have already prompted questions over the US-backed decision to hold the trial in the midst of bitter sectarian and ethnic conflict.
A source close to Kurdish judge Rizgar Amin said tribunal officials were trying to talk him out of his decision but he was reluctant to stay on because Shi'ite leaders had criticised him for being "soft" on Saddam in court.
"He tendered his resignation to the court a few days ago but the court rejected it. Now talks are under way to convince him to go back on his decision," he said. "I am not sure if he will go back on his decision."
"He had complaints from the government that he was being too soft in dealing with Saddam. They want things to go faster."
The judge planned to explain his reasons for resigning after chairing the next hearing on January 24th, the source said.
Technically the departure of the presiding magistrate on the five-judge panel can be overcome by appointing a substitute. But even if he stays, the complaints about government interference from Mr Amin, the much-televised face of the court, may do lasting damage to the credibility of the US-sponsored High Tribunal.
Only one other judge has allowed his face to be shown on television - and only Mr Amin has let his name be published.
The killing of the two defence lawyers had already highlighted problems with the process amid a virtual civil war between Saddam's fellow minority Sunni Arabs and the US- sponsored government, run by Shi'ite Muslims and ethnic Kurds intent on quickly hanging a man they say massacred their peoples.
International human rights lawyers have urged US officials and the Iraqi government to have Saddam tried abroad.
"The defence team has long warned about the dangers of political pressure that has undermined the court's independence and integrity," Saddam's chief attorney, Khalil Dulaimi, said, praising the "high moral authority" of the presiding judge.
Miranda Sissons, who has observed the trial for the International Centre for Transitional Justice, said that if Mr Amin quit "public faith in the tribunal will ... disappear".
In this first trial, which has sat for seven days since October 19th, Saddam and seven others are charged with crimes against humanity in the deaths of over 140 Shi'ite men after an assassination attempt on Saddam in 1982.
Other trials, including for genocide, are likely to follow.
After hearings last month, some observers criticised Mr Amin for allowing Saddam and his co-defendants to speak at length, making allegations, including of maltreatment at American hands. The judge, whose dry wit and courteous manner have been features of the proceedings so far, rejected the criticism.