Iraqi Official, Popular Reactions to Saddam Execution
The execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Husayn in Baghdad on 30 December has drawn various reactions from Iraqis, as well as from the Arab world. While government officials and well-known Shi’i figures and media welcomed the execution some political figures and parties, such as the Iraqi Islamic Party, the Association of Muslim Scholars [AMS], and the Iraqi National Dialogue criticized the execution.
The following is a roundup of the reaction of Iraqi officials and political parties and figures, as well as their assessment of the potential impact of the execution on the situation in Iraq.
Iraqi officials
In the wake of Saddam Husayn’s execution, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki issued a signed statement – broadcast on Al-Iraqiyah Television – in which he says that “Justice was administered in the name of the people by carrying out the death sentence against criminal Saddam, who, looking scared and terrified, met the fate of all tyrants on a hard day he did not take into account.” Addressing the Iraqis, Al-Maliki says: “O noble Iraqis, the execution of Saddam is the end of all failed bets on the return of dictatorship and the one-party regime.” He then calls “on all the misled among the henchmen of the defunct regime to reconsider their positions.” He says: “The door is still open for everyone whose hands were not stained with the blood of the innocent. It is open for him to participate in the process of rebuilding Iraq, which will be for all the Iraqis without exception or discrimination. The new Iraq will henceforth not be ruled by a party or faction.” Concluding his statement, the Iraqi prime minister calls on the Iraqi people to “turn over this dark chapter in the history of Iraq and look forward to building Iraq together.”
At 0452 gmt on 30 December, Al-Arabiya carries live a six-minute telephone interview with National Security Adviser Dr Muwaffaq al- Rubay’i , to comment on the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Husayn. Asked to provide information on Saddam Husayn’s execution, and asked where his body is if he was executed, Al- Rubay’i says: “We have his body. The execution of Saddam Husayn al- Majid took place at dawn today. Present at the execution were judges, prosecutors, a doctor, and witnesses.” Asked where his body is and whether he will be buried in an unidentified place or whether they would respond to calls from his daughter Raghad [to have his body], Al-Rubay’i says: “There are many options, among them is to hand over his body to his family, relatives, or anyone from his tribe. They then can take care of burying him under the Iraqi Armed Forces’ protection in an agreed upon place.”
At 0538 gmt, Al-Jazeera carries recorded remarks by Muwaffaq al- Rubay’i, who says that Saddam Husayn was afraid at the time of the execution and did not show any resistance. After the video was released, an Al-Jazeera announcer notes that contrary to Al-Rubay’i remarks, the video that has been released has shown a “self- possessed” Saddam Husayn.
At 1107 gmt on 30 December, Al-Arabiya carries live a three- minute interview with Ja’far al-Musawi, head of the Public Prosecution at the Iraqi Higher Criminal Tribunal, from Mecca , to comment on the timing of Saddam’s execution. Al-Musawi says that the Iraqi authorities “were not hasty” in executing Saddam since the legal procedures and contests filed against the verdict that was issued by this court were rejected. “There is no justification for delaying the implementation of the verdict,” he maintains. He adds that the Saddam’s execution was carried out “on time.”
Interviewed by Dubai Al-Arabiya Television in Arabic, an independent television station financed by Arab businessmen, at 1015 gmt on the day of the execution Bassam al-Husayni, adviser to the Iraq prime minister , says: “This is the end of all tyrants. This is the end of this criminal. Under his tyrannical regime, about 3 million Iraqis were killed. Today, the entire world witnessed a major turning point in the history of Iraq. This is the end of this man’s tyrannical era and his dirty empire, which has destroyed the Iraqi people.” He also urges Ba’thists “to work for the interests of Iraq, which is alive despite Saddam’s death.” Asked why the first day of Id al-Adha was chosen for Saddam’s execution, Al-Husayni says that “it is the executive authority that has chosen the timing” and that “the prime minister wanted the execution to be a prelude to national reconciliation at the beginning of the New Year.” Abu- Ubayd says that Saddam Husayn “had nothing to do with what has happened over the past two of three years.” Asked what will happen if violence increases as a result of the execution, Al-Husayni says that “the executive authority had nothing to do with the execution,” that “the decision was made by the appeals court, an independent Iraqi court,” and that “we had to carry out the sentence.” Asked if the execution is part of a new security plan or part of a new US strategy in Iraq, Al-Husayni says that “this is an Iraqi affair and an Iraq decision” and that “we will work day and night to bring about security in Iraq.” Asked if “there are loopholes” in the court ruling and the execution, Al-Husayni says that “the executive authority did not interfere in the appeals court’s decision” and that the “US Administration did not support the execution at this particular time,” criticizing some Arab countries’ position on the Saddam regime, “which killed numerous Iraqi citizens.” Concluding, Al-Husayni says: “We hope that Arab countries and honourable people will turn a new leaf and to work with us to achieve national reconciliation
Interviewed by Al-Arabiya also, former Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Ja’fari says: “I believe that the execution should be implemented on any day whether it is an Id day or holiday.” He maintains that “this execution represents a victory.” He goes on to say: “The dictator,” who made Iraq pay a heavy price, “fell down” on this day. He notes that happiness, joy, and love should prevail in Iraq and that the one who fell down was “the enemy of everybody.” Therefore, we should have unified positions and prove to the world that this day is the “turning point in the Iraqi political history” and that the respected Iraqi people “prevailed over their enemy.” Al- Ja’fari adds: “I make a special appeal to the Ba’thists who were not Saddamist nor were of those who committed crimes to begin their new quest by adopting the national reconciliation plan.”
At 0335 gmt, Al-Jazeera interviews by telephone Ibrahim Muhammad Bahr al-Ulum, former Iraqi oil minister . Asked whether he has information about the execution of Saddam Husayn, Bahr al-Ulum says fire is being opened in the air in Baghdad to rejoice the execution of Saddam Husayn. He says Iraq has thus moved to a new era and “justice has taken its course against the symbols of the defunct regime. Therefore, this is considered a historic event. This is a day of joy and happiness for the Iraqi people.” He says this should pave the way for national reconciliation. Asked whether the execution date was set by the Americans, Bahr al-Ulum says the Iraqi Government decided the date and the action.
Political figures/parties:
Shaykh Khalaf al-Ulayyan, secretary general of the Iraqi National Dialogue, says in a panel discussion on Al-Arabiya that “sentencing President Saddam Husayn to death by hanging was not a surprise.”"The surprise,” he adds, “was expediting the implementation of the verdict at such a time and during a great religious occasion which prohibits bloodshed on this blessed day. All of this happened under pressure from Americans, Israel, and Iran to punish this man for leading an eight-year war on Iran, firing missiles at Israel, and confronting America.”
Doha Al-Jazeera Satellite Channel Television in Arabic on 31 December interviews live via telephone Dr Ali al-Awsi, leader in the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq [SCIRI] and head of Al-Junub Research Centre, from London, and Dr Khalaf al-Ulayyan, secretary general of the Iraqi National Dialogue Council and member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives for Al-Tawafuq Front, from Amman. Asked to comment on voices that were heard shouting the name of Muqtada al-Sadr on Saddam’s execution video, Al-Awsi begins by extending his congratulations to the Iraqi people over the execution of Saddam Husayn which he describes as “big victory.” He adds that “the least thing that can be done to this dictator is to be executed in front of the Iraqi people following his conviction by the Iraqi judiciary.” Commenting on voices heard on the execution video, he notes that can be seen as “a spontaneous matter” and “spontaneous reactions that are expected to appear all over the world.” He criticizes media coverage of Saddam’s execution, accusing most Arab and international media outlets of “seeking to sow sectarian sedition.”
Responding to what Al-Awsi said, Shaykh Khalaf al-Ulayyan notes that “this talk is baseless,” adding that those who shouted the name of Muqtada al-Sadr “are Iranian agents who came to prove that this man was executed at this place [military intelligence headquarters] so as to appease Iran and to implement its orders.”
At 0319 gmt, Al-Jazeera interviews by telephone from Amman Khalaf al-Ulayyan, secretary general of the National Dialogue Council and member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives for the Iraqi Al- Tawafuq [Accord] Front. Al-Ulayyan says: “It is a major crime by the United States against humanity, for it has executed a man whom it had considered a war prisoner.” He adds: “The Iraqi Government has carried out the death sentence against this man. It is a political decision and is meant to avenge Iran against this man, who fought Iran for eight years and achieved victory over it. It is also meant to respond to Israel’s wish, which wanted to punish this man too because he dared fire missiles at Israel. This is an insult to the Iraqi people and an insult to all Arab leaders.” He says he does not expect “violent” reactions inside Iraq after Saddam’s execution since the government and the armed militia are ready to kill whoever moves to express objection to the execution.
At 0604 gmt on 30 December, Al-Arabiya conducts live a three- minute telephone interview with Khalaf al-Ulayyan, who says that “the execution of Saddam Husayn is a big crime. Saddam Husayn was a prisoner of war and was arrested by the US forces and not by the Iraqi Government. It is a crime through which they wanted to cover many things.” Al-Ulayyan adds: “It is a major political crime. I extend my condolences to the family of President Saddam Husayn, the Iraqi people, and to all the free people in the world. The execution gave honour to Saddam Husayn and covered all the bad things he had– if he had any. History will immortalize his memory, while others will end up in the dustbin of history.” Al-Ulayyan goes on to say that “national reconciliation is a lie”, adding that the execution of Saddam Husayn is a “lowly act” that is “the last nail in the coffin of national reconciliation.”
Commenting on a statement issued by the Association of Muslim Scholars [AMS] on the execution, Dr Muhammad Bashar al-Faydi, spokesman for the Association of Muslim Scholars [AMS] in Iraq , said in a statement to Al-Jazeera from Mecca: “The most import point in this statement is that the decision on execution was not made by politicians despite their desire to make such a decision. It was made by the occupation and so the occupation is the party that executed the former Iraqi president.” He adds that the timing of Saddam’s execution reflects “rancour” that ignores the interests of the Iraqi people, noting world dismay over the timing of execution. He then calls on the Iraqis “to learn from this event and preserve national unity.” He also blames US President Bush for burying Saddam in his hometown of Al-Awjah in Tikrit instead of Al-Ramadi as his family desired.
At 1441 gmt on 30 December, the stations interviews Abd-al- Jabbar al-Kubaysi, head of the National Iraqi Alliance , in Paris, over telephone. He says: “No body claims Iraq will be better after Saddam’s execution, but the United Stats and it allies.” On the timing of the execution, he says: “It is a message of humiliation to all Arabs and Muslims.” He blames “those who came from Iran” responsible for executing Saddam and “looting the wealth of Iraq.” Al-Kubaysi stresses that the Iranians wanted “to take revenge on the Iraqis by executing Saddam Husayn.”
At 0420 gmt on 31 December, Al-Jazeera carries recorded remarks by Salih al-Mutlaq, head of the Iraqi Front for National Dialogue , who says that according to Arab traditions, one should mention the merits of the dead. He says Iraq witnessed significant scientific progress during Saddam’s era, despite all the “ruthlessness” of the former regime. He says that he wished for a trial of the entire Saddam era to uncover the secrets of the wars that were waged during that era. He says that trial will further deepen Iraqi divisions. He adds that the security situation after Saddam Husayn is worse than in the days of Saddam, and those who came to rule after Saddam are worse, warning: “Therefore, I reiterate, there will be a day when the rulers who came to power after the ousting of the regime will be prosecuted for all the crimes that took place in Iraq. We wish them a fair trial, unlike the trial of Saddam Husayn.”
At 1215 gmt on 30 December, Al-Sharqiyah interviews live via telephone from Baghdad MP Mahmud Uthman of the Kurdistan Alliance , who says: “It was our opinion that all the cases be tried before a death sentence is passed or carried out – cases like Al-Anfal, Halabja, the south, Saddam’s execution of his comrades in the Ba’th Party, and plenty of other cases so that the people may learn of the former regime’s actions.” Uthman says: “We were hoping the trials would take place in his presence and that secrets would be revealed in terms of countries and companies that helped Saddam in the past. They should have given the defendants enough time to speak with all honestly. Also, Tariq Aziz said he had an important testimony to make in the Al-Anfal case before Saddam’s executions, but he was not allowed to testify. I believe there might be efforts to keep secrets buried and conceal some important information, and this is counterproductive.” He also argues that future trials in Saddam’s absence are “worthless.”
Key media sources:
In its reporting on the execution, Doha Al-Jazeera notes that Saddam “remained calm” and “never trembled” before his execution. Many guests on Al-Jazeera defended Saddam’s record as an Iraqi and Arab leader. Although the channel tried to maintain neutral tone and language, the anchorperson challenged Iraqi National Security Adviser Rafiq al-Rubay’i at 1019 gmt on 30 December by saying that Saddam was “calm,” not scared as Al-Rubay’i says.
Dubai Al-Arabiya has been observed to carry interviews with Arab journalists, lawyers, and Iraqi officials to comment on Saddam’s execution. These interviews were reported against the background of archival video of Saddam during his trials and reports on the history of Saddam Husayn while he was in power. Al-Arabiya has also been observed to conduct several interviews with Faris al-Mahdawi and Majid Hamid, its correspondents in Baghdad, to report on the latest Iraqi official reactions to Saddam’s execution.
Baghdad Al-Sharqiyah Television in Arabic was observed to only slightly divert from normal programming in light of Saddam Husayn’s execution. The channel interviewed two Iraqi parliamentarians, one Kurdish and one Shi’i, for their reactions and views on the future of Iraq. Scenes capturing the moment of Saddam’s sentencing were frequently aired along with archive footage of Saddam’s meetings with foreign leaders, the war with Iran, the fall of Baghdad, sick children, the Iraqi elections, and pro-Saddam demonstrations.
Baghdad Baghdad Satellite Television in Arabic – television channel believed to be sponsored by the Iraqi Islamic Party – at 1803 gmt on 30 December carries an interview with Ziyad al-Ani, assistant secretary general of the Iraqi Islamic Party. Asked about the Islamic Party’s reaction to the execution of Saddam Husayn, Al- Ani says: “We believe that this measure taken by the Iraqi Government is inappropriate at the current time for several reasons. First of all, we have not moved from a bad situation to a better situation so that we can try those responsible for the bad situation and those who did injustice to and killed Iraqis. On the contrary, we have moved from a bad situation to a worse situation, in which crimes, killing based on identity, arrests, repression, silencing of others, and executions by the government and others have increased. So, why do we try an era and leave other eras? We are not against executing any criminal if his crime against any Iraqi citizen is proved.” He adds: “True, Saddam killed many Iraqis. But, why do we try Saddam and we fail to try assassins, including current government officials? The second point is that we are heading towards national reconciliation and calming of the situation. This measure is inappropriate at the current time.” Answering another question, Al-Ani says that the verdict was “a political one.”
The channel also carries an interview with Dr Salim Al-Juburi, spokesman for the Iraqi Al-Tawafuq [Accord] Movement . Asked about the Movement’s stand towards the execution of Saddam, Al-Juburi says: “Talk about Saddam as a person and regime ended on the day he was arrested. We are now talking about the repercussions of legal and judicial measures, some of which have a political nature. We agree that any criminal who committed crimes against the Iraqi people should be punished following a fair trial.” Al-Juburi adds: “The issue that is raised today is the impact of this verdict on the security file. This file is already complicated. We should not blame the security lawlessness on the execution of a verdict. This is because this will relieve some persons from their responsibility towards the Iraqi people.” Answering a question on the impact of the execution of Saddam on Iraq’s future, Al-Juburi says: “As I said, thus far nothing indicates that there will be stability after the execution of the verdict.”
Baghdad Al-Furat Television Channel in Arabic – Television channel affiliated with the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq [SCIRI] led by Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim – at 0839 gmt on 31 December carries an interview via satellite with Iraqi Oil Minister Husayn al-Shahristani . Al-Shahristani starts by saying that this is a “great day in Iraq’s history.” Asked whether the execution of Saddam will mark the birth of a “new” Iraq, Al- Shahristani says: “Saddamist Ba’thists and Saddam’s henchmen were hoping that they could revive their regime and resume their control of the Iraqi people’s resources through this idol. But, with the fall of this idol, their criminal plan has been defeated.” He expects that there will be attacks against Iraqis in markets, mosques, schools, and hospitals. He notes that the execution of Saddam “signals the end of the era of the dictator.”
Baghdad Al-Iraqiyah Television in Arabic – government-sponsored television station, run by the Iraqi Media Network and Baghdad Al- Sharqiyah Television in Arabic – Independent, private news and entertainment channel focusing on Iraq, run by Sa’d al-Bazzaz, publisher of the Arabic-language daily Al-Zaman between 0339 and 1200 gmt on 30 December have been observed to carry special coverage of the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Husayn.
In a panel discussion on Al-Arabiya on 30 December, Zafir al- Ani, political analyst and deputy for the Iraqi Accord Front in Baghdad , says: “There were millions who envied Saddam Husayn for his life, wishing that they lived it. I think that multiple numbers today envy him for the way he died. Regretfully, the Iraqi Government has been overwhelmed by vengeance whereby it eventually depicted Saddam as a hero and legend not only due to the timing. Regretfully, the government wanted to instil another sectarian divide into the Iraqi society so as to say that today in Iraq is not Al-Adha Id unlike what Muslims and other Iraqis feel so as to add another sectarian feature to it. I don’t believe that this was a coincidence. Saddam was executed at the 5th division of the former military intelligence directorate which was in charge of pursuing Iranian activity in Iraq.”
At 0414 gmt, Al-Jazeera interviews live from London Abd-al-Bari Atwan, chief editor of the London-based newspaper Al-Quds al-Arabi. Atwan says: “Obviously, there is a deal between the United States and the Iraqi Government now in control in Baghdad. This deal may have been finalized during Abd-al-Aziz al-Hakim’s visit to Washington and also during President George Bush’s meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Amman. It seems there is a deal, and in this deal it has been decided to expedite the implementation of the death sentence. Perhaps the US President wants to assure the ruling majority in Iraq that he is committed to them and will not abandon them and will not go back on his policy in relying on them in ruling Iraq.” Atwan says that the Americans perhaps believed that the execution would ease violence in Iraq. Atwan adds: “At any rate, this quick implementation of the death sentence and in this way will lead to the opposite. I believe that it will obstruct the reconciliation efforts among the Iraqis, deepen the divisions, and pour more fuel on the fire of the sectarian civil war in Iraq. It might even cause the situation in the entire region to flare up and make this sectarian civil war extend to Iraq’s neighbours. I believe that the United States has perhaps solved a problem, but has created for itself many other problems.” He says the timing of the execution is “an insult to all Arabs and Muslims” and also to Arab leaders.
Doha Al-Jazeera Television in Arabic at 2013 gmt on 30 December carries live a six-minute interview via satellite with Abd-al-Bari Atwan to comment on the hanging of former Iraqi President Saddam Husayn. The interview is conducted by Al-Jazeera anchorman Jamal Rayyan. Asked how he explains “the Arab silence” on the hanging of former Iraqi President Saddam Husayn, Atwan says: “I explain this by saying that it is a state of defeatism, surrender, and disgrace. What did Saddam Husayn do to the Arab leaders? What did he do to Egypt and to President Husni Mubarak in particular? Did he not offer five billion dollars to save the Egyptian economy and purchase Egyptian-made goods while he was under siege? What did Saddam Husayn offer to Jordan and to the Jordanian monarch? Did he not offer 750 million dollars as oil grants and other grants to Jordan? What did President Saddam Husayn do to King Mohammed VI in Morocco? Was he not faithful to Morocco, and a friend of it not to mention the fact that he took part in all summits? Why is this silence and defeatism? There must be mourning or condemnation at least. My brother, they are suppressed by the US. Atwan goes on to say: “This was an Arab leader. He was not a traitor or an accomplice to any occupation. This man said a big no to the US, and launched 39 missiles on Tel Aviv. His last words were: God is great, long live the Arab nation, long live Palestine free and Arab.” Atwan adds that President Saddam Husayn headed for the gallows “holding his head up high like a mountain,” noting that “he was the master and those around him were the dwarfs.”
Ba’thists and Saddam’s family
Interviewed by Al-Jazeera anchorperson at 1007 gmt on 30 December, Rasha Awdah, chief of the office of Raghad in Amman, daughter of Saddam Husayn, says that “the president’s daughters – as I saw them last night – were faithful, brave, and patient, as they have always been taught to be.”
Al-Arabiya on 31 December carries a telephone interview with Mu’ayyad Damin Hazza, Saddam’s cousin . He says: “we welcome Al- Arabiya and its viewers. We confirm that we did not see any marks of torture on the body of the president, God have mercy on his soul.” On Saddam’s will, he says “we have not yet seen Saddam’s will, because we have not been informed of these personal matters. People are currently busy with accepting condolences.” He adds that “there are very big numbers and big masses of Iraqi citizens from all over Iraq coming to [offer condolences]. They are all rushing to participate and to perform their duty towards this great leader.”
Al-Jazeera on 31 December shows Amal al-Hasan, Saddam Husayn’s eldest sister, saying: “Saddam was a hero in his life and passed away as a martyr. Saddam is the Arab and Islamic nation’s martyr. He was a genuine hero. I am proud to be Saddam’s sister.”
The channel also shows Layth al-Shawi, Saddam Husayn’s nephew, as saying: “I call on the Iraqis to show unity and tolerance. I also call on them to realize that their only foe is the US occupation.”
The Jordanian Ba’th Party has set up a place of mourning in Amman to accept condolences over the death of former Iraqi President Saddam Husayn. Scores of Jordanians and members of the Iraqi Ba’th Party visited the place and offered condolences.
At 0641 gmt on 30 December, Al-Jazeera carries a telephone interview from an unspecified location with “Abu-Muhammad, spokesman for the Ba’th Party.” He says the Ba’th Party is deep-rooted and that Ba’thists will continue resistance. He urges Iraqis to be united to “strike at the occupation, the henchmen of the occupation, and the arrangements of the occupation to liberate and reconstruct great Iraq.” In response to a question, he says the Ba’th Party will not end with Saddam’s “martyrdom.”
At 0503 gmt on 30 December, Al-Arabiya carries live a three- minute telephone interview with Abu-Muhammad, representative of the Ba’th Party, from Damascus, to comment on Saddam Husayn’s execution. Abu-Muhammad begins by saying: “Glory – all glory, immortality, and splendour to the master of Iraq and the leader of the nation – Abu- Uday – the symbol of Iraqi pride and honour.”
Impact on security:
Al-Jazeera at 0807 gmt on 30 December carries a live eight- minute telephone interview with ” Staff Brigadier General Ali Abbas Abu-al-Fadl, one of the leaders of the Iraqi resistance factions.” Asked how he comments on the execution of Saddam Husayn, Abu-al- Fadl says he begins by offering condolences to “the Islamic nation and the heroic Iraqi Army.” Concluding, he says: “We do not fight for Saddam Husayn. They will see, and the future will prove to them that we do not fight for him, but for our country, for Iraq, for the Sunnis, Shi’is, Christians, Sabians, Turkomans, Kurds, and the rest of the Iraqi people. We will prove that to them, and very soon, God willing. We will take them by surprise in the heart of their own homes.”
At 1709 gmt on 30 December, the station conducts a four-minute telephone interview with Abu-Husayn al-Baghdadi, official spokesman for the Al-Mujahidin Army, from Iraq. Asked about how they view the significance of executing Saddam, Al-Baghdadi says: “Iraqi former President Saddam Husayn was a tyrant and an oppressor. However, this trial is an Iranian and Israeli one in order to take revenge on this nation. The occupation and its allies have wrought havoc that the Iraqis never seen during the rule of the tyrant Saddam Husayn. The Iranian militias are wreaking havoc in Iraq under the very nose of the US occupation forces.” Al-Baghdadi wonders: “Who will try the occupation forces for their crimes in Al-Fallujah? Who will try the government militias for the crimes they are committing?”
Arab reaction
PNA: The General Command of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades issued a statement – addressed to the Palestinians – in which it says that “the execution of President Saddam Husayn is an act of folly meant to humiliate you, after they allowed spilling our blood, taking our money, and demeaning us.” The statement adds: “The criminal assassination of the eternal leader, the symbol of steadfastness, Yasir Arafat, was only the first in a series of acts against our creed and our existence.” Addressing Fatah members, the statement says: “Sons of Fatah, we call on our sons in the mobilization and recruitment cells all over the world, and on Fatah’s fighters, to form secret cells all over the world to help the efforts of your brothers, wherever they are, and to hit the interests of the enemy abroad, to expose the truth and eradicate the lie.”
Jordan: In a statement carried on the Jordanian News Agency, Government Spokesman Nasser Judah expressed the Jordanian government hope that “there will be no negative consequences for the hanging of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein that would affect the unity and solidarity of Iraqi people.” The spokesman then calls on “all Iraqis to preserve the unity of Iraq’s people and land.”
Syria: Damascus SANA in Arabic, official news agency of the Syrian Government, on 30 December carries factual reports on the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Husayn in Baghdad.
In a statement to Doha Al-Jazeera Satellite Channel Television in Arabic at 2008 gmt on 30 December conducts live a three-minute telephone interview with Syrian Information Minister Dr Muhsin Bilal, from Damascus. Asked about the reactions that Saddam’s execution produced in Damascus, Bilal says: “No doubt, we are here surprised at the timing of this execution.” Bilal adds that it is “a painful and agonizing thing” that the execution is carried out at the time of the Id prayers and at the time of Hajj. Bilal goes on to say that this “abominable news certainly came at a bad timing.” Asked whether the execution of Saddam will have any consequences on Damascus, Bilal says: “We in Syria, and the Arab and the Islamic nation, hope that this painful incident that hurts humanity would not add fuel to the fire that is already ignited in Iraq and which we are all trying to quench in an effort to realize a safe, Arab, unified, and sovereign Iraq.”
Saudi Arabia: The political analyst for the Saudi News Agency [SPA ] has written a commentary, in which he says: “A sense of surprise and disapproval has prevailed over the fact that the execution was carried out during one of the scared months and on the first day of the blessed Id al-Adha; an occasion which embodies the unity of Muslims and during which millions of pilgrims meet at one blessed level searching for what unites them and not what reminds them of what divides them. Millions of Muslims expect the entire world, and not just the political leaderships of Islamic states, to respect and not undermine this great occasion and its status in the souls and consciousnesses of Muslims.”
Jedda Arab News writes the following: “They either hated him or loved him, but almost everyone here in the tent city of Mina was outraged at the hanging of ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on Id al-Adha. The hanging was viewed by most pilgrims as a corruption of the occasion.”
Kuwait: In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency, Speaker of the National Assembly Jassem Mohammad Al-Kharafi said Saturday that Saddam Hussein’s death by execution is “fair and just.” He adds “non sarcastically, divine justice is exacted no matter how long it takes.”"Today we celebrate two occasions, Eid Al-Adha and the fair execution of Saddam Hussein,” said Al-Kharafi, “which brings justice to Kuwaiti victims of Saddam and his regime,” recalling the crimes of Saddam Hussein against Kuwait and its people during the Iraqi invasion in 1990.
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