Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu said on Monday that former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein,captured on Sunday,should be brought before the international crime court.

"(I)hope that all of those involved will respect internationallaw...(they)have to accept the principle of until found guilty...you have to assume that he is innocent,"South African Archbishop Tutu said.

Tutu was asked his opinion,on what action should be taken against Saddam,who was captured Sunday by coalition forces in a dugout,at the inauguration signing ceremony of a partnership between the city of Cape Town and the Desmond Tutu Peace Trust to establish a peace center.

Tutu said that unless Saddam was brought before international courts,"we would allow ourselves to be subverted by the very terrorism we say we want to counteract."

The South African Department of Foreign Affairs in a subdued statement on Sunday acknowledged,but ventured no opinion,on the capture of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

However,the South African government was refrained from makinga bold statement,saying:"the government has noted developments regarding the capture of Saddam Hussein by the coalition forces."

"The South African government has since the launch of the war against Iraq avoided commenting on the operational details and developments thereof,"it added.

The department added that the government would continue to support every effort undertaken by the international community,under the auspices of the United Nations,to bring about the dawn of peace,security,stability and democracy in Iraq.