Syria said Sunday that it hopes to see the end of the US-led occupation of Iraq and restoration of sovereignty in the war-torn country after the announcement of arrest of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Information Minister Ahmad al-Hassan said that "Syria wishes the recovery of the sovereignty of the Iraqi people, the end of the occupation and the installation as soon as possible of an elected and free government representing the whole Iraqi people."

Syria wanted to see "stability and security in Iraq so it can play an active role in the region and the Arab world, without an occupation authority acting against its will," Hassan said, quoted by the state SANA news agency.

On the capture of Saddam, the minister said "Syria's position on Iraq is not based on the fate of individuals."

The US forces announced earlier in the day that Saddam, who had been on a run since the downfall of his regime on April 9, was captured Saturday evening near his hometown of Tikrit in northern Iraq.