(Arabs) Reaction divided over sentence

[donsu]

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article1956977.ece


Arabs were sharply divided today over the death sentence against Saddam Hussein, with some praising the verdict as heavenly justice but others - sharply critical of the US - claiming the decision was unfair.

Some analysts said the message behind the sentencing is that Washington is determined to continue its mission in Iraq and will not be intimidated by insurgents fighting it.

"If there had been no verdict, or if the verdict had been commuted, then it would have consolidated all talk about US failure in Iraq," said Dawood al-Shirian, a Saudi journalist.

On the street, reaction was mixed. Some Arabs felt that Saddam, as a leader, should have had the freedom to run his country as he saw fit. They pointed to the rise of violence since he was removed from power by the US-led invasion in April 2003.

"If Saddam is condemned to death, then they must make it fair and sentence Mr. (US President George) Bush to death ... and they should send Israel's Ehud Olmert to death too because of what he did in Lebanon. If this is fair, let Saddam go to death," said Amman jeweller Ibrahim Hreish, speaking passionately about the verdict.
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so there you have it