KEY POINTS:
BAGHDAD - Saddam Hussein was found guilty on Sunday of crimes against humanity, and sentenced to hang. This is how ordinary Iraqis reacted across the country:
In DUJAIL, the Shi'ite town where the 148 victims in the case came from:
- "The death sentence by hanging for the criminal Saddam and his aides is a victory for this town, which has sacrificed a lot and which is still making sacrifices. ": Ali Hassan al- Haidari, who was a witness in the case.
- "(These) are happy tidings for us families of the victims and mothers who had children and sons killed. This is the least that Saddam deserved. He should be hanged 10 times and not only once. ": Ahmed Ajail.
In TIKRIT, where supporters of Saddam protested:
- "All of us want Saddam Hussein. We really love you and miss you. ": a protester, his face covered with a head dress.
In FALLUJA, in the mainly Sunni western Anbar province:
- "The sentence imposed by the Kurdish judge ... is a gift presented by the Iraqi government to George Bush to support his positions in the midterm election. But nevertheless and regardless of all the faults that Saddam committed, he's still a brave man. It's enough that he was able to impose peace and stability for all the time he governed Iraq. ": Khalil Za'al, 41, a lawyer.
- "If Saddam is executed this country will indulge in civil war. The Iranians and the Americans are pushing us towards disaster. ": Halima Jabar, 50, housewife, who was weeping.
- "The sentence was unjust, unfair, with political motives. What I feel sorry about is that the sentence came only two days before the US midterm elections, so it is meant to be publicity for George Bush. ": Khalida Abdul Karim, teacher.
In NAJAF, the Shi'ite holy city south of Baghdad:
- "Saddam is sentenced to death! Die, you Baathists! ": crowds chanting after the verdict was reported on television.
- "The court has brought justice for my son who was killed by Saddam. ": Um Hussain, 45, a housewife who was weeping.
- "God damn Saddam. Today justice has been done, and we'll see Saddam hanged. ": Hazim Mohammad, 25, a worker.
In BASRA, the mainly Shi'ite southern port, crowds thronged the streets, shooting in the air and sounding car horns:
- "I'm very happy for the death sentence against Saddam, who stole 15 years from my life in prison on fake charges. ": Mohammad Abdul Jabar, 40, a worker.
- "This is an immortal day in the life of Iraqis. I'm an engineer and I was dismissed from my job for political reasons, so justice was done for me today with the death sentence for Saddam. ": Tariq Safi, 35, a worker.
- "Like every oppressed Iraqi, I feel happy, although to execute Saddam once is not enough as Saddam destroyed a whole country. And the real joy will be the occupation forces leaving Iraq. ": Hazim Messabih, 35.
In RAMADI, capital of the restive Sunni province of Anbar in western Iraq:
- "The sentence against president Saddam was unjust, it was merely to satisfy the American government. ": Qasim al-Dulaimi, 45, a teacher.
- "The sentence against President Saddam will make the situation deteriorate more. Saddam will remain a symbol for all Iraqis because he refused to concede to the Americans. Everyone collaborated against Saddam (in the trial). ": Mohammad al-Dulaimi, 55, tribal leader.
In MOSUL, a city north of Baghdad populated by Sunni Arabs and ethnic Kurds:
- "They have sentenced Saddam to death for the killings that happened when he was a president. Who is going to sentence the leaders now for the everyday killings that are happening in the country?" - Bahjat, 30, a Sunni Arab who declined to give his last name.
- "I feel sad for Saddam, we have wronged him. We did not support him but now, after what we have seen, what has happened since he was toppled, it has become clear to us that he was the best man in the world. ": Haitham, 42, a Sunni Arab who declined to give his last name.
In ARBIL, a Kurdish city north of Baghdad:
- "The verdict issued against Saddam today was fair for crimes he committed against the Iraqi people of all sects. But what about crimes committed after Saddam was toppled, such as the sectarian killing which is much worse than the crimes which Saddam committed? ": Kana'an Shaker, an official of the Turkman Party.
- "The whole subject is a political game, we want a quick end to the trial so the Iraqi people can rest in peace. We want to turn this page and start a new one. ": Omar Ahmed, 22, a university student.
- REUTERS
