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| December 30, 2006 | Saturday | Zilhaj 08, 1427 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Saddam Hussein hanged BAGHDAD, Dec 30 (Agencies) Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was hanged early Saturday morning at a military intelligence headquarters in the Kadhimiyah district of northern Baghdad. Officials who witnessed the execution said the 69-year-old remained defiant to the last, railing against his Iranian and American enemies and praising Iraqi fighters. Saddam refused a black hood over his head before masked hangman placed the noose around his neck, a witness said. Before his death, the former president recited the Muslim profession of faith, another witness said. The execution was filmed and later two Iraqi TV channels aired excerpts from it. A top Iraqi official said Saddam will likely be buried secretly in Iraq after the government rejected a family request for the body. The execution of Saddam's two co-accused -- his half brother and intelligence chief Barzan Hassan al-Tikriti and court judge Awad Ahmed al-Bandar – was postponed until after the Eid al-Adha religious holidays, which ends on Thursday. (First Posted @ 08:35 PST Updated @ 22:18 PST)
Pakistan calls Saddam hanging a "sad event" ISLAMABAD, Dec 30 (AFP) Pakistan on Saturday described the execution of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein as a "sad event". "We hope that this event will not further exacerbate the security situation," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "It remains our earnest hope to see peace, stability and reconciliation so that the people of Iraq regain control of their affairs in a secure environment," it added. Dozens of supporters of the student wing of Jamaat-i-Islami party staged a demonstration in Karachi. In Multan city some 50 people from an ethnic-based local Saraiki Party also held a small rally, witnesses said. (First Posted @ 16:25 PST Updated @ 18:42 PST)
Bush calls Saddam's execution 'important milestone' CRAWFORD, Texas, Dec 30 (AFP) US President George W. Bush on Friday hailed Saddam Hussein's execution as "an important milestone" on the road to building an Iraqi democracy but warned it would not end deadly violence there. "Saddam Hussein's execution comes at the end of a difficult year for the Iraqi people and for our troops," Bush said in a statement released as he prepared to usher in 2007 at his Texas ranch. "Many difficult choices and further sacrifices lie ahead. Yet the safety and security of the American people require that we not relent in ensuring that Iraq's young democracy continues to progress," said Bush. Taking aim at critics of the special judicial process that led to Saddam's conviction, Bush emphasized that he "was executed after receiving a fair trial.” (Posted @ 10:00 PST)
US warns of possible 'local tsunami' after Gulf of Aden quake WASHINGTON, Dec 30 (AFP) The US government warned early Saturday of the possibility of "a local" tsunami in the Gulf of Aden following a strong earthquake that shook the maritime region. The magnitude 6.3 tremor occurred in the Guld of Aden 240 kilometers west-northwest of Yemen's Socotra Island and 277 kilometers east-southeast of the Yemeni town of Al Mukalla at 0830 GMT Saturday, according to the US Geological Survey. (Posted @ 22:12 PST)
Car bombs kill at least 68 in Iraq BAGHDAD, Dec 30 (AFP) A series of three coordinated car bombs exploded in a district of Baghdad city on Saturday, killing 37 people and wounding dozens more, security and military sources said. Earlier, in the first major attack Saturday, at least 31 people were killed when a car bomb exploded in a fish market in Kufa city. (First Posted @ 12:40 PST, Updated @ 22:10 PST)
December deadliest month in two years for US troops in Iraq BAGHDAD, Dec 30 (AFP) Six more US soldiers were reported dead in Iraq on Saturday, making December the deadliest month for US forces for more than two years, with 107 fatalities. Three marines died Thursday from wounds sustained in combat in al-Anbar province, the US military said. Meanwhile, a soldier was killed and two others wounded Friday by a bomb northwest of Baghdad. A second blast Friday southwest of the Iraqi capital killed another soldier and wounded three more. (First Posted @ 09:15 PST, Updated @ 22:08 PST)
Kuwaitis hail Saddam's hanging KUWAIT CITY, Dec 30 (AFP) Kuwaitis welcomed the hanging of Saddam Hussein on Saturday, remembering with bitterness the Iraqi dictator who invaded their Gulf state 16 years earlier. Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah, who is also defense and interior minister, told reporters: "Saddam was an enemy to the Iraqi people and the Islamic nation." (Posted @ 21:46 PST)
Libya declares national mourning for Saddam death TRIPOLI, Dec 30 (AFP) Libya on Saturday declared three days of national mourning after Saddam’s execution, official media said. Flags were lowered to half staff on public buildings and all festivities for Eid al-Adha which begins this weekend have been cancelled, the JANA news agency added. (Posted @ 21:44 PST)
Iran lauds Saddam hanging TEHRAN, Dec 30 (AFP) Iranians on Saturday hailed Saddam’s hanging as deserved punishment for a man who started an eight-year war against the Islamic republic. "The execution verdict of the court that tried Saddam has made thousands of Iranian, Iraqi and Kuwaiti victims happy," said an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini. (Posted @ 21:42 PST)
Saudi Arabia 'dismayed' by Saddam hanging on Eid RIYADH, Dec 30 (AFP) Saudi Arabia said Saturday's hanging of Saddam Hussein on the first day of Eid al-Adha caused "surprise and dismay", the official Saudi Press Agency reported. The news agency, which expresses the official line, also chided the "politicization" of Saddam's trial. "Many observers expected that the trial of a former president who ruled Iraq for decades would take longer and (involve) detailed proceedings and tight legal procedures, away from politicization," the commentary said. (Posted @ 21:40 PST)
Shujaat submits draft of Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Bill ISLAMABAD, Dec 30 (APP): President Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain on Saturday submitted a draft of the "Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Bill" to the National Assembly secretariat. Shujaat said the bill would ensure that all anti-women customs and practices such as depriving women from inherited property, marriage with the holy Quran, vanni, sawara etc are prohibited and the culprits be punished under the Pakistan Penal Code of the country. The PML president said the bill will be discussed in the next session of the National Assembly starting on sixth February. (Posted @ 20:38 PST)
Cricket-South Africa level series with India bowled out for 179 DURBAN, South Africa, Dec 30 (AFP) South Africa clinched a series-leveling win by 174 runs as India slumped on the fifth and final day of the second Test at Kingsmead Saturday. Scores: South Africa first innings 328, India first innings 240, South Africa second innings 265-8 dec, India second innings 179 all out (Tendulkar 0, Ganguly 26, Dhoni 47; Nel 16-4-57-3, Ntini 19-6-48-5, Hall 5.1-1-26-2) (Posted @ 19:34 PST)
Saddam's execution "sad incident": PM Aziz ISLAMABAD, Dec 30 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday termed the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussain a "sad incident". "Pakistan desires that peace in Iraq prevails, and its people have the right to decide about their own future," the prime minister told newsmen after distributing eid gifts among the destitute here at the PM Secretariat. (Posted @ 18:58 PST)
Bangladesh parties condemn Saddam execution DHAKA, Dec 30 (AFP) Over 1,000 activists from different political parties took part in a peaceful rally in Dhaka to protest against the execution of Saddam Hussein. (Posted @ 18:54 PST)
OIC urges calm after Saddam hanging JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, Dec 30 (AFP) The 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) "appealed to the Iraqi people to stay calm" on Saturday after the hanging of Saddam Hussein, and urged clerics to implement a pact banning the shedding of Muslim blood. (Posted @ 18:48 PST)
Saddam to be buried in Iraq: top official BAGHDAD, Dec 30 (AFP) Saddam Hussein will be buried in Iraq but the government is not yet ready to say exactly where, an official in the office of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Saturday. One of Saddam's lawyers earlier told Sky News that the corpse would be transferred outside Iraq following his execution. (First Posted @ 11:30 PST Updated @ 18:34 PST)
Haj pilgrims start stoning ritual MENA, Saudi Arabia, Dec 30 (Reuters) More than two million Muslim pilgrims began the symbolic stoning of the devil on Saturday at the Jamarat Bridge. Overnight, pilgrims chanted prayers as they slowly moved towards Muzdalifah and then to Mena, where they stay for three days. (Posted @ 17:00 PST)
Protests across India against Saddam's execution NEW DELHI, Dec 30 (Reuters) Thousands of Indians took to the streets in sporadic protests across the country against the execution of Saddam Hussein on Saturday, accusing U.S. President George W. Bush of murdering him. The protests came as New Delhi said it was disappointed he was executed and hoped this would not hurt the process of reconciliation and restoration of peace in Iraq. Thousands of people and communist party activists marched in the eastern city of Kolkata and the northern city of Lucknow after news of Saddam's execution broke on TV channels. Leftist students also protested in Bangalore while demonstrations were planned for later on Saturday in Mumbai, police said. (Posted @ 16:25 PST)
Iraqi TV shows footage of Saddam execution BAGHDAD, Dec 30 (AFP) Iraqi state television showed a brief film of Saddam Hussein being placed in a noose by masked hangmen on Saturday, cutting away just before his execution. The 69-year-old leader appeared calm, chatting to his executioners as they wrapped his neck first in black cloth then a thick hemp rope and steered him forward on a metal platform. (Posted @ 16:00 PST)
Police chief assassinated in occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR, Occupied Kashmir, Dec 30 (AP) The Pampore police chief was gunned down by a suspected militant posing as a woman hidden behind a veil in occupied Kashmir on Saturday, an official said. The attack set off a gunbattle that also left a civilian dead and two constables wounded, police said. The assailant was able to flee the scene. Lashkar-e-Tayyaba claimed responsibility for the attack in a telephone call to a Srinagar-based news agency, the Current News Service. (Posted @ 15:50 PST)
EU condemns Saddam hanging BRUSSELS, Dec 30 (AFP) The European Union on Saturday condemned the execution of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. "The EU condemns the crimes committed by Saddam and also the death penalty," Cristina Gallach, a spokeswoman for Javier Solana, the EU high representative for foreign affairs said. The death penalty is banned throughout the European Union. (Posted @ 14:35 PST)
Sri Lankan air force strikes rebel training base, gun position in northeast COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Dec 30 (AP) Sri Lanka's air force destroyed a Tamil Tiger rebel base and artillery position in the northeast on Saturday, the military said, adding that three hours later, war planes pounded a rebel artillery base in the east. (Posted @ 14:20 PST)
Car bomb explodes at Madrid airport MADRID, Dec 30 (Reuters) A car bomb exploded in a parking lot at Madrid's Barajas airport Saturday after an anonymous telephone warning, Spanish police said. A warning had been telephoned to motorway rescue services in the Basque Country, state radio reported. Two police were slightly injured in the blast. (Posted @ 14:00 PST)
14 killed in bus, tanker collision in Pakistan MULTAN, Pakistan, Dec 30 (AFP) At least 14 people were killed and seven injured Saturday when a bus collided with an oil tanker amid heavy morning fog in central Pakistan, police said. The bus coming from Lahore was heading towards Burewala, 160 kilometers southeast of Multan, police officer Masroor Alam Kolachi said. He said 13 people were killed on the spot, and another died in hospital. Seven people are still in the hospital, of which four are in "critical" condition, he said. (Posted @ 12:50 PST)
Iraq PM urges Saddam followers to join politics BAGHDAD, Dec 30 (Reuters) Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki urged Saddam Hussein's fellow Baathists Saturday to reconsider their tactics and join the political process, after the ousted leader was hanged for crimes against humanity. "I urged followers of the ousted regime to reconsider their stance as the door is still open to anyone who has no innocent blood on his hands, to help in rebuilding an Iraq for all Iraqis," Maliki said in a statement issued hours after Saddam was executed. (Posted @ 12:25 PST)
Vatican says Saddam execution "tragic" VATICAN CITY, Dec 30 (Reuters) The execution of Saddam Hussein was a "tragic event like all capital punishments" and risked fomenting a spirit of vendetta and sowing new violence in Iraq, the Vatican said Saturday. (Posted @ 12:20 PST)
Three die, 100 hurt as Bangladesh ferries collide DHAKA, Dec 30 (AFP) At least three people were killed and 100 hurt after two ferries packed with passengers collided in dense fog in southern Bangladesh late Friday, an official said Saturday. Passengers said dozens were still missing, but police said Saturday only two people remained unaccounted for. The accident occurred in Bhola district after an overloaded ferry with about 800 passengers was struck by another ferry as thick fog reduced visibility in the Meghna river, an official said. (Posted @ 12:00 PST)
Indian bus plunges into river, 40 feared dead RANCHI, India, Dec 30 (Reuters) At least 40 people were feared drowned on Saturday when a bus plunged off a bridge into the Ganges river in eastern India, authorities said. The bus crashed through the railings of the bridge about 10 km north of Patna city, capital of Bihar state, an official said. The driver apparently lost control in the dense morning fog, witnesses said. The bus was going to Patna from Hajipur town in northern Bihar. (Posted @ 11:50 PST)
Japan, Australia respect Saddam execution as Malaysia fears risks of more bloodshed TOKYO, Dec 30 (AFP) Japan said Saturday it respected Iraq's decision to execute ousted dictator Saddam Hussein, saying the move was based on the "rule of law", and "we respect it." While Australia’s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in a statement said Australia respected Iraq's decision to execute former dictator Saddam Hussein despite its opposition to the death penalty, calling it a "significant moment" for Iraq. However, Malaysia expressed surprise at the execution, saying it risked triggering more bloodshed in Iraq, and urged the government to work quickly for national reconciliation. "I think there will be repercussions…because the conflict is not going to end. This is not the answer," Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said. (Posted @ 10:30 PST)
Ship sinks in storm off Central Java with 850 passengers onboard, nine rescued JAKARTA, Indonesia, Dec 30 (AP) A ship carrying around 850 passengers sank in a storm off the coast of Central Java, a Navy commander told Indonesian radio Saturday, saying he feared many people died. The Senopati went down at around midnight Friday while travelling from Sumarang on Central Java to the port of Kumai on Central Kalimantan province. The commander told El-shinta radio that rescue workers so far found nine survivors. (Posted @ 10:20 PST)
Rights group condemns Saddam execution BAGHDAD, Dec 30 (AFP) US-based rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW) Saturday condemned the hanging of Saddam Hussein, saying history would judge his trial and execution "harshly". "Saddam Hussein was responsible for horrific, widespread human rights violations, but those acts, however brutal, cannot justify his execution, a cruel and inhuman punishment," said HRW International Justice Programme director Richard Dicker. (Posted @ 09:40 PST)
France calls on Iraqis to work towards reconciliation PARIS, Dec 30 (AFP) France called on Iraqis to work towards reconciliation and national unity after Saddam Hussein’s execution Saturday. "France calls upon all Iraqis to look towards the future and work towards reconciliation and national unity. Now more than ever, the objective should be a return to full sovereignty and stability in Iraq," the French foreign ministry said in statement. (Posted @ 09:35 PST)
Saddam held to account for crimes against Iraqis: UK LONDON, Dec 30 (Reuters) Saddam Hussein has been held to account for some of his crimes against the Iraqi people, British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said following the former Iraqi president's execution Saturday. "I welcome the fact that Saddam Hussein has been tried by an Iraqi court for at least some of the appalling crimes he committed against the Iraqi people. He has now been held to account," she said in a statement adding that "the British government does not support the use of the death penalty, in Iraq or anywhere else." (Posted @ 09:35 PST)
Sri Lanka renegade group says kills 30 Tiger rebels COLOMBO, Dec 30 (Reuters) A breakaway faction of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers overran three rebel camps in the east of the island on Saturday, killing at least 30 guerrillas, the group said. About 200 members of the group led by former Tiger eastern commander Karuna Amman, attacked the camps in Toppigala, about 40 km from the town of Batticalao. Two Karuna members were wounded in the attack, a Karuna spokesman said. (Posted @ 08:55 PST)
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