LHardy
December 30th, 2006, 12:10 PM
Execution Prompts Joy, Martyrdom Claims
Saturday, December 30, 2006 7:35 AM EST
The Associated Press
By WILLA THAYER
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) — His enemies rejoiced, his defenders proclaimed him a martyr, and others looked ahead to the impact the Saturday execution of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein would have on Iraq.
Kuwaitis and Iranians welcomed the death of the leader who led wars against each of their countries.
"This is the best Eid gift for humanity," said Saad bin Tafla al-Ajmi, former information minister of Kuwait, referring to Eid al-Adha, the most important holiday on the Islamic calendar, which began Saturday for Sunni Muslims.
Al-Ajmi heads a state committee that is searching for 605 people who disappeared during Saddam's seven-month occupation of Kuwait that began in 1990. He said the families of the missing were "ecstatic."
"This is the fair punishment for the one who executed our sons without trials," he said.
In Iran, which fought an eight-year war with Iraq that killed hundreds of thousands of people on both sides after Saddam invaded in 1980, most people thought he got what he deserved.
"Death was the least punishment for Saddam," said Hasan Mohebi, a fruit vendor in Tehran. "He destroyed the lives of millions of people in this region."
For university student Sareh Naghavi, Saddam's death came too soon.
"He should have been made to answer why he invaded Iran and Kuwait and why he launched chemical attacks against Iranians and Iraqis," she said.
While there was no official comment from Arab leaders, the government of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi announced a three-day official mourning period and canceled all celebrations for Eid.[/quote]
What a great day for Iraq and A great victory for it's people.
Saturday, December 30, 2006 7:35 AM EST
The Associated Press
By WILLA THAYER
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) — His enemies rejoiced, his defenders proclaimed him a martyr, and others looked ahead to the impact the Saturday execution of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein would have on Iraq.
Kuwaitis and Iranians welcomed the death of the leader who led wars against each of their countries.
"This is the best Eid gift for humanity," said Saad bin Tafla al-Ajmi, former information minister of Kuwait, referring to Eid al-Adha, the most important holiday on the Islamic calendar, which began Saturday for Sunni Muslims.
Al-Ajmi heads a state committee that is searching for 605 people who disappeared during Saddam's seven-month occupation of Kuwait that began in 1990. He said the families of the missing were "ecstatic."
"This is the fair punishment for the one who executed our sons without trials," he said.
In Iran, which fought an eight-year war with Iraq that killed hundreds of thousands of people on both sides after Saddam invaded in 1980, most people thought he got what he deserved.
"Death was the least punishment for Saddam," said Hasan Mohebi, a fruit vendor in Tehran. "He destroyed the lives of millions of people in this region."
For university student Sareh Naghavi, Saddam's death came too soon.
"He should have been made to answer why he invaded Iran and Kuwait and why he launched chemical attacks against Iranians and Iraqis," she said.
While there was no official comment from Arab leaders, the government of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi announced a three-day official mourning period and canceled all celebrations for Eid.[/quote]
What a great day for Iraq and A great victory for it's people.