US raised timing, procedure concerns on Saddam

WASHINGTON, Jan 3 (Reuters) The United States raised concerns with the Iraqi government about procedures and timing of former President Saddam Hussein's execution prior to his hanging, a State Department spokesman said today.

Officials from the US Embassy discussed several issues with Baghdad, spokesman Sean McCormack said. He declined to give specific details.

''We were talking about the timing,'' McCormack said. ''We raised issues with respect to procedures and timing. But ultimately these were decisions for the Iraqis to make ... At the end of the day, justice was served.'' Earlier this week, a senior Iraqi official said the US ambassador had urged Iraq's prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, to delay Saddam's execution by two weeks but relented in the face of concerted pressure.

REUTERS PB BD2326