Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein yelling in court as he received the verdict yesterday. - Reuters photo

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Reuters):

An Iraqi court sentenced a shaken but defiant Saddam Hussein to hang yesterday for crimes against humanity, sparking joy for Shi'ites he oppressed and resentment among his fellow Sunnis across Iraq's violent sectarian divide.

As mortar rounds crashed on warring Baghdad neighbourhoods and police reported sporadic clashes despite a curfew on the capital, Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki called for unity after the ousted leader was handed "the punishment he deserves."

United States President George W. Bush called the trial "a milestone in the Iraqi people's effort to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law."

Young democracy

"It is a major achievement for Iraq's young democracy and its constitutional government," Bush said in Texas.

U.S. officials again dismissed charges the verdict was timed to aid Bush's Republicans at elections tomorrow that have been dominated by dismay at Iraq's turmoil.

Defence lawyers, who said they saw little hope from an appeal in the coming months, dismissed it as "victor's justice." The United States set up the court after its invasion toppled Saddam in 2003.

Saddam, 69, initially refused to stand when brought in to hear the verdict from Kurdish chief judge Raouf Abdul Rahman, at a quickfire, 45-minute hearing. When he did, shakily, with clear emotion, he yelled the defiant Arab battle cry "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Greatest) and "Long live Iraq" as the judgement was read.

"The court has decided to sentence Saddam Hussein al-Majid to be hanged until he is dead for crimes against humanity," Abdul Rahman said, ignoring Saddam's earlier bombastic plea that he should face a military firing squad, not the hangman's noose.

The judge, who earlier ejected former U.S. Attorney-General Ramsey Clark from the defence panel after he called the court a "mockery of justice," threw out a court guard for chewing gum and laughing as he stood by the fallen strongman in the dock.

A lengthy written verdict is expected later in the week.

Saddam will continue to stand trial for genocide against the Kurds. He is due back in court tomorrow.

International leaders expressed mixed views. Iran, Saddam's arch-enemy, said hanging him was a just punishment for his "inhuman crimes," but accused the West of arming the former Iraqi dictator.

But the Vatican yesterday urged that Saddam should not be put to death even if he has committed crimes against humanity because every life is sacred.