New Delhi: Describing the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussain as 'unfortunate', India today said it was 'disappointed' over the development.

New Delhi, which had earlier opposed Hussain's execution, hoped that the event will not affect the process of reconciliation and restoration of peace in the trouble-torn country.

"We had already expressed the hope that the execution would not be carried out. We are disappointed that it has been (carried out)," External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in a statement.

"We hope that the unfortunate event will not affect the process of reconciliation, restoration of peace and normalcy in Iraq," he said.