'I will not help kill Saddam'

Iraq's new president has said he would refuse to sign a warrant sentencing Saddam Hussein to death.

Many Iraqis believe Saddam - who has yet to go on trial - should face the death penalty for crimes against humanity.

But president Jalal Talabani indicated he could escape the gallows. "Personally, no, I won't sign it," he told the BBC.

Mr Talabani, a human rights lawyer, said it was against his principles to endorse capital punishment.

However, he said the decision was not his alone.

"The presidency of Iraq are three people. These three must decide," he added.

The president accepted that other members of the coalition were in favour of execution for the former dictator.

But Mr Talabani questioned whether execution would help quell insurgents still loyal to Saddam. He conceded: "I think, if he [is] finished, many of his followers will give up their hope that one day he will come back."

Mr Talabani, a Kurd, also warned that any attempt to impose an Islamic government in Iraq would cause divisions.

"You have Kurds, Arabs, Shia, Sunni [and] Christians. It cannot be an Islamic society. If anyone tried to impose it, Iraq would be divided," he said.