Maliki warns critics

Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki said on Saturday Saddam Hussain's execution was a "domestic affair" and warned countries, which criticised the hanging, that his government could review relations with them.

"The Iraqi government could be obliged to review its relations with any state that fails to respect the wish of the Iraqi people," said Al Maliki in his first reaction to the ousted president's hanging in Baghdad on December 30.

"We consider the execution of the dictator an internal affair that concerns only the Iraqi people," said Al Maliki, speaking at a ceremony on the 86th anniversary of the Iraqi army.

Al Maliki, a Shiite, said in the speech that Saddam had received a fair trial and that his execution was for the benefit of Iraq's unity.

A video showing images of Shiite officials taunting Saddam on the gallows has angered his fellow Sunni Arabs and increased sectarian tension.

Al Maliki lashed out at those who criticised the execution. "We find that this conduct is inciting sedition and flagrant interference in the internal affairs of Iraq and abuses feelings of the families of the victims," he said.

The Prime Minister also insisted Saddam's hanging was not a political act. "The execution of the despot was not a political decision as suggested by the enemies of Iraqi people," Al Maliki said.

"The decision was implemented after a just trial which the dictator did not deserve as the crimes he committed against the people, the country and its institutions were disgraceful."

Al Maliki said the authorities would not hesitate to carry out court sentences against other officials of the ousted regime.

"We will go ahead in applying the law against those who abused the Iraqi people and whose hands are stained with the blood of innocents," he said.

Two former Saddam henchmen - Barzan Ebrahim Al Tikriti and Awad Ahmad Al Bandar - are expected to be hanged soon after they were found guilty along with Saddam of executing 148 Shiite civilians from Dujail, north of Baghdad, in the 1980s.