Breaking News: Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein executed  2006-12-30 11:01:50

Special Report: World reactions on execution of Saddam

Special Report: Execution of Saddam

    CAIRO, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa Sunday regretted the timing of the execution of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein as it took place on the first day of the Greater Bairam (Islam's feast of sacrifice), one of the most important holidays for Muslims.

    Egypt's official news agency MENA quoted Moussa as saying that the execution during these holy days is dissatisfactory. He warned of rebounds following Saddam's execution, explaining that many people consider the trial not fair and the timing of implementing the verdict not proper.

    Saddam's era had actually gone, but Iraq is still suffering from blood shedding regardless circumstances and changes, he added. However, he called for national reconciliation in post-Saddam Iraq, saying that the Iraqi reconciliation process should go on so as to get the country out of its ordeal, which destabilizes it and threatens the lives of the innocent.

    Saddam, born on April 28, 1937 and deposed in the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, was hanged to death at dawn on Saturday for crimes against humanity.

    He was handed over on Friday to the Iraqi authorities from a U.S. camp near Baghdad International Airport where he had been held.