The execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was carried out "too hastily" and will not solve Iraq's troubles, a major Japanese newspaper said Sunday.

Saturday's execution was carried out "too hastily and was dripping with political motivation," the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper said in an editorial, noting that Saddam was hanged only four days after the appeals chamber finalized the sentence delivered by the Iraqi High Tribunal.

As 69-year-old Saddam had ruled Iraq for about 30 years, some observers said there would be room for political maneuvering about the timing of sending Saddam to the gallows, to avoid intensifying sectarian conflict, the paper said.

Rushing the process "must be viewed as a major gamble," it said, adding that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki should place his priority on bringing about national reconciliation rather than rushing the process.

The Yomiuri also said that the hasty execution will make it very difficult to find out the truth about other crimes allegedly committed by the Saddam administration.

International assistance to Iraq's reconstruction, especially that from the United States, has taken on an even greater importance, it said. "The Bush administration needs to devise a flexible, effective policy to ensure its assistance to Iraq's reconstruction achieves its goals."

Stories on Saddam's execution occupied front pages of all major Japanese newspapers. The Asahi Shimbun said that there was still little hope for stability in Iraq after Saddam's administration was toppled more than three years ago.

The English-language Japan Times said that world political and religious leaders were divided over whether Saddam's execution would serve as a milestone toward peace or motivation for further conflict in the Middle East.

Source: Xinhua