US President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair have said Iraqis should decide whether Saddam Hussein will face execution and have hinted that he should be tried in his own country.
"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."
He declined to say whether he favoured the death penalty for Saddam: "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.
Asked if he had a personal message for Saddam, President Bush said: "Good riddance. The world is better off without you, Mr Saddam Hussein."
Mr Blair told the House of Commons he was confident the Iraqi people would be able to mount a fair trial.
"Of course we must make sure that there is a proper and independent and fair process," Mr Blair told parliament.
He said that while he was opposed to the death penalty, the decision is a matter for "Iraqi Government and the Iraqi people".
He also echoed Mr Bush's warning that coalition forces face continued difficulties and dangers despite Saddam's capture.
Iraq was on the right track and the capture should convince some "fence-sitters" to support the transition under the US-led temporary administration, Mr Bush said.
He gave no indication that Saddam's capture would lead to an early withdrawal of US troops and suggested it would not be much help in substantiating charges that Saddam was developing unconventional weapons of mass destruction. Mr Bush said the ousted leader had no credibility.
Meanwhile, officers from the Fourth Infantry Division which captured Saddam brought reporters to the scene today.
"I'm Saddam Hussein," the deposed leader said when the underground room he was hiding in was opened. "I'm the president of Iraq and I'm willing to negotiate."
"President Bush sends his regards," Maj Brian Reed who uncovered the hole replied.
The soldiers acted on a tip-off from someone identified only as a wealthy man with "a large waistline" from nearby Tikrit, though it has been reported that the man is a member of Saddam's extended family.
Agencies