The major Shiite Muslim bloc opposed the sparing of life of the former dictator Saddam Hussein in case he is convicted by the special tribunal, according to the alliance’s spokesman.

The Shiite bloc is now in the process of forming the majority for the government with a Kurdish alliance that was also one of the winners in the recent elections.

The next tribulation over Hussein’s case is scheduled for July amid the claims from the families of the numerous victims of his regime. The trial itself is expected to start by the end of the year.

The new President for the country Jalal Talabani said he opposes the death penalty for the former dictator. "I said my word, but no one is listening to me, to be frank with you," Talabani told the BBC. "My two partners in the presidency, the government, the house, all of them are for sentencing Saddam Hussein to death before the court will decide."

Saddam Hussein is well aware that angry relatives of his victims are expecting capital punishment for him and will definitely appreciate the court ruling in favor of such a decision.