This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6119916.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Curfew eased after Saddam verdict Curfew eased after Saddam verdict
(about 1 hour later)
Iraqi authorities have begun to lift a round-the-clock curfew in Baghdad, a day after Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity.Iraqi authorities have begun to lift a round-the-clock curfew in Baghdad, a day after Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity.
Civilians have been allowed back out into the capital and two other provinces, but vehicles remain banned until Tuesday morning.Civilians have been allowed back out into the capital and two other provinces, but vehicles remain banned until Tuesday morning.
Streets had been deserted for two days in anticipation of the verdict.Streets had been deserted for two days in anticipation of the verdict.
An automatic appeal will be launched against the sentence and is due to be heard by a panel of nine judges.An automatic appeal will be launched against the sentence and is due to be heard by a panel of nine judges.
The BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad says activity was already returning to the streets before the partial lifting of the curfew.The BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad says activity was already returning to the streets before the partial lifting of the curfew.
Police in Baghdad were allowing people to make essential journeys like going to hospital or to buying provisions from shops that had opened. Police in Baghdad were allowing people to make essential journeys like going to hospital or buying provisions from shops that had opened.
But our correspondent says fears of an upsurge in violence remain, amid continuing anger among Iraq Sunnis over the verdict.But our correspondent says fears of an upsurge in violence remain, amid continuing anger among Iraq Sunnis over the verdict.
On Sunday, Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death by hanging over the killing of 148 people in the mainly Shia town of Dujail following an assassination attempt on him in 1982.On Sunday, Saddam Hussein was sentenced to death by hanging over the killing of 148 people in the mainly Shia town of Dujail following an assassination attempt on him in 1982.
Second trialSecond trial
The appeals process for the former Iraqi leader and six co-defendants - two of whom were sentenced to death, one to life in prison and three to 15-year jail terms - is expected to take only a few weeks.The appeals process for the former Iraqi leader and six co-defendants - two of whom were sentenced to death, one to life in prison and three to 15-year jail terms - is expected to take only a few weeks.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Guilty verdicts on murder charges are automatically sent to appellate panel within 10 daysIt can take as little as 20 days for the appeal to be heardIf sentence is upheld, execution must be carried out within 30 daysIraq's tripartite presidency must sign the execution papersSentence may be delayed to allow conclusion to Anfal trial Q&A: Verdict and appeal Verdicts in detail In pictures: Iraq's reaction If the sentences are upheld, the executions must be carried out within 30 days of the decision.WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Guilty verdicts on murder charges are automatically sent to appellate panel within 10 daysIt can take as little as 20 days for the appeal to be heardIf sentence is upheld, execution must be carried out within 30 daysIraq's tripartite presidency must sign the execution papersSentence may be delayed to allow conclusion to Anfal trial Q&A: Verdict and appeal Verdicts in detail In pictures: Iraq's reaction If the sentences are upheld, the executions must be carried out within 30 days of the decision.
BBC world affairs editor John Simpson, in Baghdad, says the hangings could therefore take place within two or three months, although there are a lot of question marks over the process.BBC world affairs editor John Simpson, in Baghdad, says the hangings could therefore take place within two or three months, although there are a lot of question marks over the process.
Saddam Hussein is due back in court on Tuesday when a separate trial for atrocities committed against Iraqi Kurds resumes.Saddam Hussein is due back in court on Tuesday when a separate trial for atrocities committed against Iraqi Kurds resumes.
Some legal experts have argued that the so-called Anfal killings trial should be allowed to reach a verdict before Saddam Hussein is executed.Some legal experts have argued that the so-called Anfal killings trial should be allowed to reach a verdict before Saddam Hussein is executed.
But Iraqi officials say the hanging would not be delayed artificially to allow this to take place.But Iraqi officials say the hanging would not be delayed artificially to allow this to take place.
Saddam Hussein's defence lawyers have told the BBC that they have not received official notification of the death sentence, which they say is required before they launch their appeal.Saddam Hussein's defence lawyers have told the BBC that they have not received official notification of the death sentence, which they say is required before they launch their appeal.
Our correspondent says that although this is a technicality, it shows how ineffectual a lot of the rules and regulations governing the trial process have been.Our correspondent says that although this is a technicality, it shows how ineffectual a lot of the rules and regulations governing the trial process have been.
'Milestone''Milestone'
The judgement has been met with mixed reactions in Iraq and around the world.The judgement has been met with mixed reactions in Iraq and around the world.
Shortly after the verdict, there were jubilant scenes in Sadr City, a predominantly Shia district of Baghdad, and in the holy city of Najaf.Shortly after the verdict, there were jubilant scenes in Sadr City, a predominantly Shia district of Baghdad, and in the holy city of Najaf.
But in Saddam Hussein's home town of Tikrit there was fury, as supporters of the former president defied a curfew to parade with photographs of their hero.But in Saddam Hussein's home town of Tikrit there was fury, as supporters of the former president defied a curfew to parade with photographs of their hero.
Iraqi authorities fear clashes may ensue after the verdictEnlarge ImageIraqi authorities fear clashes may ensue after the verdictEnlarge Image
Almost three years since his capture, soaring sectarian violence has brought Iraq to the brink of civil war - and correspondents say few Iraqis think the trial verdict will ease the conflict.Almost three years since his capture, soaring sectarian violence has brought Iraq to the brink of civil war - and correspondents say few Iraqis think the trial verdict will ease the conflict.
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, has hailed the sentence as a "verdict on a whole dark era".The Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, has hailed the sentence as a "verdict on a whole dark era".
President Bush called the verdict a "milestone" in the efforts of the Iraqi people "to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law".President Bush called the verdict a "milestone" in the efforts of the Iraqi people "to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law".
White House spokesman Tony Snow denied suggestions that the timing of the verdict had been orchestrated to coincide with crucial mid-term elections as "preposterous".White House spokesman Tony Snow denied suggestions that the timing of the verdict had been orchestrated to coincide with crucial mid-term elections as "preposterous".
Execution concernsExecution concerns
Several European leaders welcomed the guilty verdict, but there has also been concern over the use of the death sentence.Several European leaders welcomed the guilty verdict, but there has also been concern over the use of the death sentence.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said Britain opposed the death penalty "whether it's Saddam or anybody else".UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said Britain opposed the death penalty "whether it's Saddam or anybody else".
HAVE YOUR SAY This is just another sad episode in the tragic drama of Iraq Mohammed, Iraq Send us your comments Voices from Iraq: reaction Celebrations and protests Finland, which currently holds the presidency of the EU and is opposed to the death penalty, called on Iraq to refrain from carrying out the execution.HAVE YOUR SAY This is just another sad episode in the tragic drama of Iraq Mohammed, Iraq Send us your comments Voices from Iraq: reaction Celebrations and protests Finland, which currently holds the presidency of the EU and is opposed to the death penalty, called on Iraq to refrain from carrying out the execution.
UN human rights chief Louise Arbour called for a moratorium on executions and said the defendants' rights to a fair appeal must be "fully respected".UN human rights chief Louise Arbour called for a moratorium on executions and said the defendants' rights to a fair appeal must be "fully respected".
The verdict was welcomed in Kuwait, which was invaded by the former Iraqi president in 1990, and Iran, which fought a bitter war with Iraq in the 1980s.The verdict was welcomed in Kuwait, which was invaded by the former Iraqi president in 1990, and Iran, which fought a bitter war with Iraq in the 1980s.
But the Palestinian ruling party, Hamas, condemned the sentence as politically motivated, remembering support Saddam Hussein had given the Palestinian people.But the Palestinian ruling party, Hamas, condemned the sentence as politically motivated, remembering support Saddam Hussein had given the Palestinian people.