Iraqi children gather outside the tomb of Saddam Hussein near Tikrit as mourners gathered to mark anniversary of his execution, 30 Dec 2007

Small groups of mourners gathered at the grave of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to mark Sunday's first anniversary of his execution.

Saddam loyalists visited his grave in Ouja, the deposed dictator's birthplace. Walls in the nearby city of Tikrit were marked by fresh graffiti honoring the dead leader.

The U.S. military says it has not noted any increase in violence attributed to the anniversary.

Saddam was ousted from power in 2003 by a U.S.-led coalition. An Iraqi court later sentenced him to death for the killing of Shi'ite civilians in 1982.

Iraqi security forces have been on high alert in some places for the anniversary.

The village of Dawr, just south of Tikrit, where Saddam was captured hiding in a hole four years ago, is under indefinite curfew.

Iraq's PM Nouri al-Maliki

In other news, the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says results from a medical exam he underwent in London were good and reassuring. It says he is to have more tests Monday.

Mr. Maliki's office said he left Baghdad Saturday for a check up and treatment for exhaustion.