Russia yesterday downplayed the importance of the capture of Saddam Hussein, with a top diplomat describing the event as "mainly symbolic".
In a stance that contrasts starkly with Western euphoria, Deputy Foreign Minister Mr Yuri Fedotov made it clear that Russia, which opposed the war in Iraq, was unhappy about US attempts to deny post-war contracts in Iraq to states that opposed the US-led offensive against the country.
"We are talking here about what is mainly a symbolic event," Mr Fedotov said, in remarks to the Itar-Tass news agency.
"The arrest does not significantly change the situation as his regime was overthrown some time ago. We would like to think that Saddam Hussein's arrest will help stabilise the situation in Iraq. But developments will only be determined over time."
Russian Foreign Minister Mr Igor Ivanov was more lukewarm than France or Germany, which welcomed news of Saddam's arrest, but said he thought it would contribute to strengthening security.