Norway said on Saturday it is important that the former dictator of Iraq was brought before a court and sentenced for some of his crimes against humanity, but Oslo joins the EU nations in saying it regrets the execution of Saddam Hussein.

"It would have been preferable if he had been brought to justice also for other crimes. A clarification of responsibility would have been positive for the necessary reconciliation in the country," Norwegian Broadcasting reported, quoting Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere.

"At the same time Norway opposes the use of the death penalty in principle, and therefore regrets the execution of Saddam Hussein," said Stoere.

"The execution does not solve Iraq's political problems, including the serious security situation. The government of Iraq must therefore, together with the various groups in the country, continue the work to achieve security and peace for the whole population," Stoere said.

Source: Xinhua