Baghdad under curfew after Saddam's death sentence
BAGHDAD and two restive Sunni provinces were under a 24-hour curfew today in the wake of the death sentence on Saddam Hussein.
Officials said the clampdown would continue indefinitely.
Scattered celebrations of the sentencing of the former dictator continued in predominantly Shiah parts of the country, where there was no curfew. UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett today rejected claims that executing Saddam would make him a "martyr".
And she said the UK would respect the Iraqis' decision to sentence the deposed dictator to death, despite being opposed to capital punishment.
US president George Bush called yesterday's verdict "a milestone in the Iraqi people's efforts to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law".
The EU welcomed the verdict but said Saddam should not be put to death.
Meanwhile, two American soldiers died today when their helicopter crashed north of Baghdad, the US military announced.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Teacher dies and 27 injured in coach crash
- Brian Monteith: Positive push to keep Scotland in the union
- David Cameron is playing into the SNP’s hands, says Michael Forsyth
- Rangers administration: European hopes in doubt as wait goes on for tax tribunal result
- Hibs 0 - 5 Celtic: Generous Hibs prove perfect party hosts
- David Cameron is playing into the SNP’s hands, says Michael Forsyth
- Scottish independence: Ruth Davidson points to welfare
- Alan Pattullo: Dignity, not sanctimony, is required at Parkhead
- Scottish independence: SNP’s plans ‘in a state of flux’, Willie Rennie claims
- ‘Business hub’ plan on site of old Fountainbridge brewery
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Monday 20 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: South west
