France hoped the death sentence delivered to Iraqi former President Saddam Hussein would not "bring about new tensions" in Iraq, French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy said on Sunday.

"France acknowledges, in terms of the trial of Saddam Hussein, the sentence delivered by the Iraqi justice system. This decision belongs to the Iraqi people," said Douste-Blazy.

"In the violent situation of current Iraq, I hope this decision will not bring about new tensions and that the Iraqi people, whatever community they belong to, should prove their restraint," he said.

Iraq's High Criminal Tribunal handed down on Sunday the death penalty to the ousted president Saddam Hussein and two of his senior aides for the execution of 148 people from Dujail during the crackdown on the town after a failed assassination attempt against Saddam in 1982.

The death sentence has sparked demonstrations among his fellow Sunnis and celebrations among Iraqi Shiites.

Editor: Yan