Political parties in the country strongly condemned the hanging of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein on Saturday, saying that it marks the beginning of a 'serious and bigger problem' in the trouble torn West Asian nation.

The Congress said Hussain's hanging 'does not carry any credibility' as there were 'clear procedural deficiencies in the trial process', besides the 'undue haste' in carrying out the death sentence.

"They validate our previously expressed apprehensions regarding ad-hoc victors' justice and therefore, we condemn it," Congress chief spokesman Janardan Dwivedi said shortly after Hussein was hanged in Iraq at around 6 AM local time (0830 IST).

"Nevertheless, we hope that this unfortunate event will not stand in the way of the process of restoring normalcy and reconciliation in Iraq," he added.

The government's ally Communist Party of India (Marxist) saw the hanging as an 'illegal and criminal act' of 'an imperialist occupying power', which has 'no right to violate national sovereignty and dispense justice on those whom they have illegally overthrown'.

Foreseeing increased hatred for the US after the hanging, the Left party, in a statement, asked the government to 'realise that its strategic alliance with the Bush administration, which is notorious for its imperial aggrandisement, will harm India's interests'.

"This urgency in executing Saddam is very suspect," CPI(M) leader Nilotpal Basu said added that his party feared that it would have an adverse impact not only in Iraq but also in other parts of the world.

Terming the execution as 'barbaric', CPI national secretary D Raja said, "The trial was a farce and the verdict to hang Saddam a judicial assault as the country was on under US-British the occupation."

He said even the United Nations failed to intervene to stop the hanging.

Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said the execution was not the solution to the problem in Iraq and expressed fear that it 'will be the beginning of a bigger and more serious problem' in that country.

He said the development showed those holding powers in Iraq now have failed to win over the hearts and minds of ordinary citizens.

Former external affairs minister K Natwar Singh said, "With this, the deterrence will increase, tension in West Asia will increase. It will have a very adverse impact on the region for decades to come."

Condemning the hanging, Muslim leaders said it will affect peace in the world.

Describing as 'highly shocking' the way Hussein was executed, All India Personal Law Board member Kamal Farooqi said, "It will add to the problems. Peace will be disturbed across the world."

Attacking US President George W Bush [Images], he said, "I think it is designed by Bush who is not losing any opportunity to hurt Muslim sentiments. It reinforces our view that it is America which is in fact trying to harm the world peace."