Saddam's execution is a milestone: Bush

As former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was executed on Saturday morning in Baghdad, US President George W Bush was asleep.

However, in a statement released at his ranch in Texas, President Bush stated, that 'bringing Saddam Hussein to justice will not end the violence in Iraq, but it is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself'.

Aides have confirmed that the President, who was briefed late Friday night that the execution would take place, was asleep when it actually took place and would have been woken up only if 'there was any departure from the plan'.

They have added that President Bush will not speak out in person about the execution on Saturday.