BAGHDAD, Iraq: Prime Minister of Iraq Nuri Al-Maliki has lashed out at countries and threatened to "review" relations with them that have criticised the execution of brutal dictator Saddam, saying the hanging was an internal matter.

In his first reaction to the ousted despot's hanging in Baghdad on December 30, Maliki said: "The Iraqi government could be obliged to review its relations with any state that fails to respect the wish of the Iraqi people."

He was speaking at a ceremony on the 86th anniversary of the Iraqi army.

"We consider the execution of the dictator an internal affair that concerns only the Iraqi people," said Maliki. "We find that this conduct is inciting sedition and flagrant interference in the internal affairs of Iraq and abuses feelings of the families of the victims."

"The decision was implemented after a just trial which the dictator did not deserve as the crimes he committed against the people, the country and its institutions were disgraceful."

Saying the criticism will not deter his government from carrying out punishments against other officials of the ousted regime, the premier added: "We will go ahead in applying the law against those who abused the Iraqi people and whose hands are stained with the blood of innocents."