Saddam sentence - Iraqi people to pay price of verdict

EVEN as the judge was delivering yesterday’s death sentence by hanging against former dictator Saddam Hussein, Iraq was bracing itself for civil war.

While Shi’ite and Kurdish gunfire could be heard celebrating the announcement, a sullen silence hung over the Sunni community following the threat that a death sentence would turn Iraq into hell.

As America and Britain prepare secretly to withdraw, following their disastrous invasion, civil war is already raging throughout Baghdad and other cities. There is no doubt yesterday’s verdict will deepen the appalling sectarian violence of recent months.

Typically defiant to the end, Saddam Hussein will now go through an appeal process. In the nation’s interest, it should not be a drawn-out affair.

When he finally faces the hangman, the future of the Iraqi people will also hang in the balance.