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Saddam Hussein executed in Iraq Saddam Hussein executed in Iraq
(about 2 hours later)
Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has been executed by hanging at a secure facility in northern Baghdad for crimes against humanity.Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has been executed by hanging at a secure facility in northern Baghdad for crimes against humanity.
Iraqi TV said the execution took place just before 0600 local time (0300GMT). A representative of the prime minister and a Sunni Muslim cleric were present.Iraqi TV said the execution took place just before 0600 local time (0300GMT). A representative of the prime minister and a Sunni Muslim cleric were present.
Footage of him being led to the gallows was later shown on Iraqi state TV.Footage of him being led to the gallows was later shown on Iraqi state TV.
Two co-defendants, Saddam Hussein's half-brother and a former chief judge, are to be executed at a later date.Two co-defendants, Saddam Hussein's half-brother and a former chief judge, are to be executed at a later date.
All three were sentenced to death by an Iraqi court on 5 November after a year-long trial over the 1982 killings of 148 Shias in the town of Dujail.All three were sentenced to death by an Iraqi court on 5 November after a year-long trial over the 1982 killings of 148 Shias in the town of Dujail.
Holding KoranHolding Koran
A small group of Iraqis witnessed the execution inside a building at an Iraqi compound known by the Americans as Camp Justice, a secure facility in the northern Baghdad suburb of Khadimeya.A small group of Iraqis witnessed the execution inside a building at an Iraqi compound known by the Americans as Camp Justice, a secure facility in the northern Baghdad suburb of Khadimeya.
We took him to the gallows and he was saying some few slogans. He was very, very, very, broken Iraqi National Security Adviser Mouwafak al-Rubaie We took him to the gallows and he was saying some few slogans. He was very, very, very, broken Mouwafak al-RubaieIraq National Security Adviser
They watched as a judge read out the sentence to Saddam Hussein. The former Iraqi leader was carrying a copy of the Koran and asked for it to be given to a friend.They watched as a judge read out the sentence to Saddam Hussein. The former Iraqi leader was carrying a copy of the Koran and asked for it to be given to a friend.
Footage broadcast later on Iraqi state TV showed a subdued Saddam Hussein being led to gallows by a group of masked men.Footage broadcast later on Iraqi state TV showed a subdued Saddam Hussein being led to gallows by a group of masked men.
He was dressed in a white shirt and dark overcoat, rather than prison garb.He was dressed in a white shirt and dark overcoat, rather than prison garb.
Saddam Hussein was led up onto the gallows platform and a dark piece of cloth placed around his neck, followed by the noose.Saddam Hussein was led up onto the gallows platform and a dark piece of cloth placed around his neck, followed by the noose.
Saddam Hussein's ruleIn pictures
When the hangman stepped forward to put the hood over his head, Saddam Hussein made it clear he wanted to die without it.When the hangman stepped forward to put the hood over his head, Saddam Hussein made it clear he wanted to die without it.
The hanging itself was not broadcast.The hanging itself was not broadcast.
Saddam Hussein's ruleIn pictures
The execution procedure took just a few minutes.The execution procedure took just a few minutes.
Iraqi National Security Adviser Mouwafak al-Rubaie, who witnessed the execution, told the BBC that the former leader went to the gallows quietly:Iraqi National Security Adviser Mouwafak al-Rubaie, who witnessed the execution, told the BBC that the former leader went to the gallows quietly:
"We took him to the gallows and he was saying some few slogans. He was very, very, very, broken.""We took him to the gallows and he was saying some few slogans. He was very, very, very, broken."
In other developments:In other developments:
    • US troops and Iraqi security forces are put on high alert and security is increased at US embassies around the world
    • US troops and Iraqi security forces are put on high alert and security is increased at US embassies around the world
    • A bomb explodes in a market place in the mainly Shia city of Kufa, in southern Iraq, killing at least 17 people and injuring 25
      		•
    • A bomb explodes in a market place in the mainly Shia city of Kufa, in southern Iraq, killing at least 31 people and injuring 25
    • The US military says that a US soldier was killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad on Friday and three marines died from wounds suffered in combat in Iraq's western Anbar province
    • The US military says that a US soldier was killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad on Friday and three marines died from wounds suffered in combat in Iraq's western Anbar province
      • 'End of a dark period''End of a dark period'
      News of Saddam Hussein's execution was broadcast on state-run Iraqiya television, as patriotic music and images of national monuments were played out.News of Saddam Hussein's execution was broadcast on state-run Iraqiya television, as patriotic music and images of national monuments were played out.
      It initially said Saddam Hussein was hanged first, followed by Barzan and then Bandar. However, Mr Rubaie later said only Saddam Hussein was hanged.
      "We wanted him to be executed on a special day," Mr Rubaie told Iraqiya TV.
      It is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself US President George W Bush Reaction in quotes Insurgency to outlive Saddam Timeline: Saddam's IraqIt is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself US President George W Bush Reaction in quotes Insurgency to outlive Saddam Timeline: Saddam's Iraq
      It initially said Saddam Hussein was hanged first, followed by Barzan and then Bandar. However, Iraqi national security adviser, Mouwafak al-Rubaie, later said only Saddam Hussein was hanged.
      "We wanted him to be executed on a special day," Mr al-Rubaie told Iraqiya, adding that Saddam Hussein "totally surrendered" and did not resist.
      Saddam Hussein's half-brother Barzan al-Tikriti and Iraq's former chief judge Awad Hamed al-Bandar are to be executed some time after the Eid festival ends next week, he said.Saddam Hussein's half-brother Barzan al-Tikriti and Iraq's former chief judge Awad Hamed al-Bandar are to be executed some time after the Eid festival ends next week, he said.
      Other Arab TV stations aired live footage of the sunrise over Baghdad's Firdous Square, where US Marines pulled down a statue of Saddam Hussein, after he was deposed in April 2003.Other Arab TV stations aired live footage of the sunrise over Baghdad's Firdous Square, where US Marines pulled down a statue of Saddam Hussein, after he was deposed in April 2003.
      There were jubilant scenes in the Baghdad Shia stronghold of Sadr City, with people dancing in the streets and sounding their car horns.There were jubilant scenes in the Baghdad Shia stronghold of Sadr City, with people dancing in the streets and sounding their car horns.
      The BBC's Peter Greste in Baghdad says Shias have generally welcomed Saddam Hussein's death and hailed the execution as justice for the suffering endured under his leadership.The BBC's Peter Greste in Baghdad says Shias have generally welcomed Saddam Hussein's death and hailed the execution as justice for the suffering endured under his leadership.
      But Saddam's own Sunni tribesman were angered by his treatment and may well protest once more, our correspondent adds.But Saddam's own Sunni tribesman were angered by his treatment and may well protest once more, our correspondent adds.
      'Held to account''Held to account'
      US President George W Bush hailed the execution as "an important milestone" on the road to building an Iraqi democracy, but warned it would not end the deadly violence there.US President George W Bush hailed the execution as "an important milestone" on the road to building an Iraqi democracy, but warned it would not end the deadly violence there.
      I feel saddened by the death of Saddam, not because he deserved to live but because it is taking place under US occupation of Iraq Nafeesa Zafar, Pakistan Saddam death: Your reactionI feel saddened by the death of Saddam, not because he deserved to live but because it is taking place under US occupation of Iraq Nafeesa Zafar, Pakistan Saddam death: Your reaction
      He said: "It is a testament to the Iraqi people's resolve to move forward after decades of oppression that, despite his terrible crimes against his own people, Saddam Hussein received a fair trial.He said: "It is a testament to the Iraqi people's resolve to move forward after decades of oppression that, despite his terrible crimes against his own people, Saddam Hussein received a fair trial.
      "It is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself, and be an ally in the War on Terror.""It is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself, and be an ally in the War on Terror."
      UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett welcomed the fact that Saddam Hussein had been tried by an Iraqi court "for at least some of the appalling crimes he committed" and said "he has now been held to account".UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett welcomed the fact that Saddam Hussein had been tried by an Iraqi court "for at least some of the appalling crimes he committed" and said "he has now been held to account".
      France called on Iraqis to "look towards the future and work towards reconciliation and national unity".France called on Iraqis to "look towards the future and work towards reconciliation and national unity".