by Jamal Hashim, Zhang Wei

    

Several Iraqi youths protest against the death sentence passed on former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 5, 2006. Iraq's High Tribunal gave Saddam the death sentence on Sunday, on charges related to the massacre of 148 Shi'ite men in Dujail after an assassination attempt against him in 1982. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

BAGHDAD, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Shiites across Iraq have rejoiced at Saddam's death verdict, but the country's outraged Sunnis slammed it as purely a political showcase.

    Iraq's High Tribunal Sunday sentenced ousted President Saddam Hussein and two of his senior aides to death by hanging for crimes against humanity in the Dujail case.

    Tens of thousands of Shiites on Sunday took to the streets in Shiite areas and neighborhoods in Iraq to celebrate the verdict, asking for "a quick death" to Saddam.

    "Sunday is a happy day for all Iraqis and I pray to God that the sentence will be carried out soon," Hussein al-Shamari, a Shiite resident in Baghdad, told Xinhua.

    "This was less than what Saddam deserves for his crimes committed to all Iraqis. God willing, he will be executed," said Muhammed Sabieh, whose words highlighted strong hatred among Shiites after decades of oppression under Saddam's rule.

    "The court has brought justice to my son who was killed by Saddam," said Um Karrar, 55, a housewife who was weeping.

    Although the trial healed Shiites' wounds somewhat, there are real fears that the verdict could further divide the country and stir more sectarian bloodshed.

    Iraqi Sunnis, who once dominated the country during Saddam's reign, protested against the verdict shortly after it was announced.

    Residents in Saddam's hometown of Tikrit, some 170 km north of Baghdad, demonstrated to voice opposition to the verdict despite a curfew imposed there.

    A local police source told Xinhua that over 1,000 demonstrators showed up on the streets despite U.S. troops "shot bullets in the air to disperse the protesters."

    "I broke my television because I was angry when they deliver the verdict on Saddam," Saied Khalaf, a teacher in Tikrit, told Xinhua by telephone.

    "I vehemently denounce the verdict because it was a U.S.-sponsored show and would only serve to threaten unity of the Iraqi people," he said.

    Iraqi Sunnis also slammed the sentencing as a political showcase for U.S. and Iraqi governments to cover their incompetence to make any progress on the ground.

    "The court sentenced Saddam to death for killing 148 people, but who is going to prosecute the leaders responsible for everyday killing now?" said a Sunni Arab, who only identified himself as Ismail.

    "I feel sorry for Saddam, and we didn't support him during his rule. But given what we have seen since he was toppled, it has become clear to us that he was the best man in the world," 46-year-old Imad Mahmoud said.

    "The death verdict against President Saddam was not surprising as it was given for the benefit of (George W.) Bush in the congressional election," Hassan al-Dulaimi said.

    Mohammed al-Dulaimi, a shop owner, warned that more sectarian bloodshed could come with the sentencing, because "Saddam will remain a symbol for all Iraqis as he refused to concede to the Americans."

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