The death sentence given to former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on Sunday has aroused mixed reactions worldwide, with many countries welcoming the end of the trial but opposing the use of death penalty.

The United States, which led the 2003 invasion of Iraq, hailed the verdict as "a major achievement."

In a brief statement issued on Sunday, U.S. President George W. Bush said, "It's a major achievement for Iraq's young democracy and its constitutional government."

Earlier on Sunday, Saddam and two of his senior aides were sentenced to death by hanging after the Iraqi High Tribunal found them guilty of crimes against humanity over the execution of 148 Shiite villagers of Dujail in a crackdown on the town after a failed assassination attempt against Saddam in 1982.

Britain also welcomed the death penalty for Saddam. "I welcome (the fact) that Saddam Hussein and the other defendants have faced justice and have been held to account for their crimes," said British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett in a statement on Sunday.

"Appalling crimes were committed by Saddam Hussein's regime. It is right that those accused of such crimes against the Iraqi people should face Iraqi justice," she stated.

But many other countries, while welcoming the fact that Saddam was found guilty of brutalities committed during his rule, expressed opposition to his execution.

Finland, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, is a leading voice among these countries, which also include Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand and Spain.

"The EU opposes capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances and it should not be carried out in this case either," the Finnish presidency said in a statement.

Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said it is extremely satisfying that "the former dictator" has been made to answer for his crimes and that the first verdict has now been handed down.

But at the same time, Bildt expressed regret that Iraq has not chosen to abolish the death penalty.

"Sweden and the European Union's position on the matter is well-known and our rejection of the death penalty is without exception," he said.

UN high commissioner for human rights Lousie Arbour echoed these countries' views. She urged on Sunday the Iraqi authorities to refrain from hanging Saddam and ensure that he receives a fair appeals process.

"A credible appeals process is an essential part of fair-trial guarantees," said Arbour in a statement. "This is particularly important in this instance, in which the death penalty has been imposed."

"Those convicted today should have every opportunity to exhaust their appellate remedies in a fair way, and whatever the outcome of an appeal, I hope the government will observe a moratorium on executions," she added.

Meanwhile, some other countries, including France, expressed the hope that the capital punishment for Saddam would not worsen the violent situation in Iraq.

"In the violent situation of current Iraq, I hope this decision will not bring about new tensions and that the Iraqi people, whatever community they belong to, should prove their restraint," said French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy on Sunday.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said the trial of Saddam was "fair" but refused to comment on the death sentence pending the appeal period, which runs for a month.

The death sentence also drew different responses in Iraq, with Saddam's fellow Sunnis demonstrating and Shiites celebrating. On Sunday, sporadic clashes took place in Baghdad between insurgents and Iraqi security forces, killing at least five people.

Source: Xinhua