Special Report: Execution of Saddam

Special report:Tension escalates in Iraq

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang  (File Photo)Photo Gallery >>>

    BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said here Saturday that the Iraqi affairs should be decided by the Iraqi people.

    Qin made the remarks when asked to comment on the execution of Saddam Hussein. He said China hopes Iraq can realize stability and development in an early date.

    Saddam Hussein, born on April 28, 1937, was deposed by the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

    He was hanged on Saturday morning after he was handed over to the Iraqi authorities for execution.

Ousted Iraqi President Saddam Hussein reacts in court during the Anfal genocide trial in Baghdad December 21, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery >>>

Saddam executed by hanging

    BAGHDAD, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was executed by hanging shortly before 6 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Saturday, U.S.-backed Iraqi TV Al Hurra reported.

    "The execution of Saddam Hussein is complete," Iraq state run Iraqiya television said.

Bush hails execution of Saddam Hussein

    WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush on Friday hailed the execution of the toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein as "an important milestone" on the road to building an Iraqi democracy.

    "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," Bush said in a statement issued just about one hour after Saddam was hanged in Baghdad, Iraq.