BAGHDAD. Sept 8: Iraqi ■President Saddam Hussein was unanimously renominated for the presidency on Thursday by the ruling Revolutionary Command Council, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) said, reports Reuter.

The council also approved amendments to Iraq's interim constitution, among them a provision to elect the president through secret ballot. INA said.

Iraq's 250 member National Assembly (parliament) has been summoned for an emergency session on Sunday to approve Saddam's nomination after Which elections will be held within 60 days.

The referendum will be carried out through direct secret ballot within 60 days after the National Assembly's approval of the nomination. INA said of the eleclion in which Saddam would be the only candidate for a seven-ypar-term.

The amendments were part of a decree signet! by Saddam and read over Iraqi stale televisipn and radio by Culture and Information Minister Hamed Youssef Hum-madi.

Thejf are the first constitutional amendments since Iraq became a republic following the July 14. 1958 revolution which toppled the monarchy.

Saddam has been President since 1979.

The new measures were taken almost a month after the defection to Jordan of Lieutenant General Hussein Kamel Hassan, who is a son-in-law of Saddam and was a key figure in his government.

An authoritative spokesman for the RCC said Iraqi leaders wanted to lend constitutional legitimacy" to the leadership of the party and revolution.

He said the voting shall reaffirm and renew allegiance to the leader.