LONDON, Dec 30: Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party urged Iraqis to “strike without mercy” at US occupiers and Iran to avenge the execution of Iraq’s former president but warned them not to be drawn into a civil war.

“Today is your great day. Strike without mercy at the joint enemy in Iraq -- America and Iran,” the party believed to be spearheading an anti-US insurgency in Iraq said in a statement posted on the Internet on Saturday.

“Forget your organisational structures and take the stand of honour you deserve which is to take revenge for Saddam Hussein,” said the statement, posted on the website www.albasrah.net.

Its authenticity could not be immediately verified.

The statement came shortly after Saddam was hanged at dawn on Saturday for crimes against humanity, more than three years following his overthrow by US-led forces.

Saddam's execution has further divided Iraqis, with Iranian-backed majority Shia who suffered under him rejoicing at his death, while his fellow Sunnis voiced anger.

The pan-Arab Baath Party, which ruled Iraq for more than 30 years until Saddam's fall but is now banned, warned followers to avoid harming fellow Iraqis.

“Let your destructive response be by stepping up jihad against the occupation and against Iran,” said the statement.

“Our revenge from America and Iran is in defeating the occupation and causing it bigger losses,” it said, noting that Iranian, Israeli and US leaders were first to celebrate Saddam's execution.—Reuters