Japan and Australia hailed the death penalty verdict on former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein while Pakistan expressed its concern about the stability and integrity of Iraq.

Top Japanese government spokesman Yasuhisa Shiozaki said Monday that Japan "appreciate" the death penalty verdict on former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

"We appreciate the verdict was handed down under the new Iraqi laws," Shiozaki was quoted as saying by Kyodo News. He also noted that Japan will "keep paying close attention to the development of the trial."

The spokesman said that Japan realizes that security conditions in Iraq are still tough and "we will maintain commitment to the Iraqi issues in cooperation with the international society."

Iraq's High Criminal Tribunal handed down on Sunday the death penalty to Saddam Hussein and two of his senior aides for the execution of 148 people from Dujail during the crackdown on the town after a failed assassination attempt against Saddam in 1982.

Soon after the announcement of the verdict, Australian Prime Minister John Howard said the verdict proved that the democracy being established in Iraq was worth the fight.

"Despite all of its difficulties, Iraq is trying to establish a rule of law," he said.

Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the sentence is no surprise. However, he said, he personally opposed the death penalty.

"Many countries have capital punishment, but personally I do not support the death penalty," he said.

But Pakistan avoided comments on the death sentence to the former Iraqi President but said Monday that it wants peace, stability and territorial integrity of Iraq.

"Legal proceedings in Iraq are continuing. Appeal proceedings started today. Our major concern is peace, stability and territorial integrity of Iraq," said Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam at her weekly press briefing.

"Pakistan is concerned about the stability and integrity of Iraq after a tribunal in Baghdad imposed the death sentence on Saddam Hussain," she said.

Source: Xinhua