Malaysia today expressed surprise at the execution of Saddam Hussein, saying it risked triggering more bloodshed in Iraq, and urged the government to work quickly for national reconciliation.

"A lot of people, the international community generally, are not in favour of the hanging and question the due process that took place," Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar told AFP .

"We are surprised that they went ahead nowithstanding.

"I think there will be repercussions. The only thing is we hope they will be able to contain this. Because the conflict is not going to end. This is not the answer."

Syed Hamid, whose country is the current chair of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said there were divisions within the world's largest Muslim grouping on what Saddam's fate should have been.

"I think here (within the OIC) there are divided views on it, but on the question of the need for reconciliation to bring the people back together, end violence and bring stability, there is a common feeling," he said.

Due law process

The Malaysian foreign minister said that whatever the nature of the allegations against Saddam, he should have been entitled to the due process of the law.

"I think Saddam has committed a lot of wrongs... but he should have been tried in accordance with international law and subsequently the appeal process should have been done properly," he said.

Syed Hamid said any upsurge in violence would depend on the Iraqi government's response and its ability to deflect growing sectarianism and extremism.

"I hope there will be greater efforts by the government of Iraq to bring about reconciliation," he said.

Two concerns

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said Malaysia respected the Iraqi authority's decision to execute Saddam, but warned the move could intensify conflict in the country.

"It seems, the new Iraqi government has used its right to carry out the death sentence on former president Saddam Hussein. In principle, we respect what is done by a government elected by the people," he told the Bernama news agency.

"But there are two concerns of Malaysia and much of the international community. One is the process implemented in the court."

"The other is whether the death sentence that was carried out will intensify the conflict in Iraq."