BAGHDAD, Iraq -- When Saddam Hussein appeared before a judge Thursday, Iraqis across the country were watching it happen on television.

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Saddam In Court: An Insiders Account Images:Saddam's Court Appearance An Insider's Account

Some seethed with anger at the deposed dictator; a few defended him. Some think now is not the time to put him on trial.

Saddam lectured the magistrate and identified himself as the president of Iraq.

He dismissed the proceedings and said they were the work of President George W. Bush.

The former ruler scoffed at charges of war crimes and mass killings, making a defiant first public appearance since being captured seven months ago.

He was presented with seven preliminary charges during the 26-minute hearing.

Dressed in a charcoal-colored suit jacket, Saddam, 67, and 11 former members of his regime were arraigned in a court appearance that was televised for the world.

Saddam refused to sign a document acknowledging the charges against him until his lawyer was present and offered a shot at both the court and Bush.

"This is all a theater by Bush, the criminal," he said in a courtroom that once was part of a palace built for him. He said Bush was "trying to win his campaign."

The charges were as following:

Killing of religious figures in 1974
Killing the Kurdish Barzani clan in 1983
Gassing of Kurds in Halabja in 1988
Killing members of political parties over the last 30 years
The 1986-1988 "Anfal" campaign of displacing Kurds
The 1990 invasion of Kuwait
The suppression of the 1991 uprisings by Kurds and Shiites

Reaction was swift from the people Saddam once led.

Many called for his execution. Some say Saddam doesn't even deserve a trial. One man said giving Saddam his day in court is "an honor he doesn't deserve."

Others say the timing of the trial is flawed. One Iraqi said there are other major problems that should be addressed first.

A few doubt Saddam is guilty of anything beyond punishing those who threatened the Iraqi people's security. One man said that's something the Americans haven't been able to do.

And yet there are others who are still too afraid to express their feelings. One woman says she wouldn't comment even if she saw Saddam's execution.

Among the others arraigned Thursday were former Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz, a frequent Iraqi spokesman because of his fluency in English, and Ali Hasan al-Majid, known as "Chemical Ali."

Saddam Asserts He's Still President

At some points, he was seen taking notes on a piece of yellow paper and gesturing with his hands.

Unprompted, he told the court, "I am Saddam Hussein, the president of Iraq." The judge insisted Saddam was the former president -- and Saddam responded that he still is president.

Saddam insisted on being referred to as the "president of the Republic of Iraq."

He sparred with the judge over whether the court had any jurisdiction over him -- and said the proceedings were the work of American occupiers.

Afterward, as guards prepared to take him from the courtroom, Saddam told them to take it easy -- because he's "an old man."

One person who wasn't seen clearly on the video is the judge. He was shown only from behind because of fears about his safety.

A CNN reporter who was in the courtroom said the toppled Iraqi president was alternatively downcast and defiant.

The reporter said Saddam started by asking the judge, "What is this court? Who are you? Under whose jurisdiction did you fall? I am the president of Iraq." And he reportedly kept asking, "Why am I here?"

At one point Saddam asked the judge if he represented the coalition. The judge said, "No, I represent the Iraqi people."

The judge read seven preliminary charges against Saddam, including the 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

But Saddam defended the invasion.

"How can you as an Iraqi accuse me of Kuwait? You know this was not an invasion. How can this be an occupation? I was doing good for Iraqis," Saddam reportedly said. He then referred to the Kuwaitis as dogs and said they were trying to turn Iraqi women into prostitutes for just $10, the reporter said.

Though the proceedings took place before an Iraqi judge, security arrangements are largely being organized by the American military.

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The CNN reporter monitoring the hearing said Saddam was brought to the building in an armored bus. The bus was escorted by four humvees and an ambulance.

Two Iraqi prison guards reportedly ushered him through a door guarded by six more Iraqi police officers.

The director of the Iraqi Special Tribunal said there is no timetable for trying Saddam.

Salem Chalabi said Thursday's court hearing is just the first step. Chalabi said the court appearance is similar to an arraignment.

The next legal step is the gathering of evidence, then an indictment if there is enough evidence "down the line." Iraq's new national security adviser said a trial of Saddam would be "the trial of the century."

Chalabi saw Saddam on Wednesday, when he was formally transferred to Iraqi legal custody. He said Saddam "looks fine" although he is thinner.

Kuwaitis Slam Saddam For Defending Invasion

Kuwaitis are criticizing Saddam for defending his invasion of their country -- and they say Saddam deserves to die.

That invasion is the basis of one of the charges against him.

Kuwait's information minister called Saddam a "criminal" and said he deserves to be executed.

An editor at the official Kuwait News Agency said the arraignment was an important moment for Kuwaitis. He said it's also important for Saddam's supporters in the Arab world, as well, to see what crimes he has committed. He, too, called for Saddam's execution.

Another Kuwaiti said Saddam should be dangled in a Kuwaiti square so Kuwaitis can "spit in his face."