WASHINGTON, Dec 15: US President George Bush said on Monday that the United States would play a key role in organizing Saddam Hussein’s trial but Iraqis should decide whether he will face possible execution.

“We will work with the Iraqis to develop a way to try him that will stand international scrutiny,” Mr Bush told a news conference. “The Iraqis need to be very much involved.”

President Bush did not say whether Saddam Hussain, the ousted Iraqi president, should eventually face the death penalty.

“I’ve got my own personal views. This is a brutal dictator. He’s a person who killed a lot of people. But my personal views are not important in this matter. ... It’s going to be up to the Iraqis to make those decisions,” said Mr Bush, who was governor of Texas, the US state with the most executions, 312, since 1976.

Asked if he had a personal message for Saddam Hussain, President Bush said: “Good riddance. The world is better off without you, Mr Saddam Hussain.”

President Bush warned that US-led occupation forces in Iraq faced continued difficulties and dangers after Saddam Hussain’s capture, but Iraq was on the right track. He said the capture should convince some “fence-sitters” to support the transition under the US-led occupation.

“The terrorists in Iraq remain dangerous. The work of our coalition remains difficult and will require further sacrifice. Yet it should now be clear to all: Iraq is on the path to freedom,” he said.

President Bush gave no indication the capture would lead to an early withdrawal of US troops and reassured Iraqis the United States would “stay the course.”

He also suggested the capture would not be much help in substantiating US charges that Saddam Hussain was developing the unconventional weapons Mr Bush had cited as a major reason for war. President Bush said the ousted leader had no credibility.

Saddam Hussain had spent more than eight months on the run in the wake of Baghdad’s fall at the hands of US-led invasion forces in April.—Reuters