VARIOUS: Opinion divided in Middle East about justness of death sentence handed down to former Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein

Reaction to the verdict of Saddam was mixed across the Arab world. Some Muslims saw the sentence as divine justice, but others denounced it as a farce, maintaining that Iraq is more violent now than it was under Saddam. Iran said it hoped Saddam, who was convicted over the deaths of more than 148 Shia men from the Iraqi town of Dujail, would still be brought to book for offences it accuses him of committing during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war. One veteran said that "... even if he is hanged 100 times it will never compensate my suffering during the war." And a student called death sentence too lenient for Saddam's crimes. "He should be tortured and he should die from torture and the pictures of the torture should be broadcast, maybe then the people might feel a little relieved." But Saddam still enjoys lots of support in the Arab world, not least because of the actions of the U.S. troops in Iraq. The Syrian Information Minister Mohsen Bilal expressed the thoughts of many Arabs: "This court is under the occupation so it has no legitimacy." In Egypt, the largest Arab country and where its Sunni Muslim majority sometimes sympathized with the Sunni Arab Iraqi leader in his long and eventful confrontation with the United States, opinion was divided about the justness of the death sentence. Ala Biltagi said the court's decision had been correct. "This judgement was a just decision, because he did great damage to the Arabs and his people as well. It's justice," he said. There is strong anti-American feeling and opposition to US invasion of Iraq in Egypt, in spite of the pro-US policies of the government of Hosni Mubarak. Because Hussein was perceived as opposing America, his fall was seen by some as a loss to all the Arab states. "It's unfair and insulting to all Arab states, and to everyone," said Khalil Abdullah. American support for the court that has sentenced Hussein to die has led to widespread scepticism of the proceedings in the Arab world. In the eyes of some Hussein remains a symbol of opposition to what they see as American attempts to control the Middle East. "He doesn't deserve it, he doesn't deserve it. He was defending his country. It is treason against him in his country," said Ibrahim. In Gaza, Palestinians expressed regret over the trial, saying the United States has imposed its rule over Iraq. "The Untied States are dictating over the world rulers and their deputies to put Saddam on trial in this manner. If the Iraqi people wanted to stand next to Saddam and trail Saddam for the things that are going on (In Iraq), Saddam will be innocent and take the rule again." said one resident of Gaza city. Others remembered the ousted Iraqi leader's support for the Palestinian people. Muhamad al-Qalam said the trial violates international law. "Saddam Hussein till this moment represents Iraq and the Iraqi people based on the International law. As long as he is accounted for, this trial is considered not legitimate and unlawful trail". In the West Bank, several dozens marched through the streets of Nablus holding portraits of Saddam Hussein.

ITN Source | November 6, 2006

Tags:. .muslim. .hanged. .accounted. .trail. .veteran