By Mariam Karouny

BAGHDAD, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Iraqis' reactions to the death sentence against Saddam Hussein on Sunday reflected the sectarian divisions that erupted into violence after the U.S. invasion that overthrew him in 2003.

Women ululated and men fired shots in the air to celebrate in majority Shi'ite cities while in Sunni Arab towns faces were grim and men were angry at what many described as a "political" verdict.

An electricity shortage kept Iraqis in the northern city of Mosul from following the televised broadcast of the sentence so dozens took to the streets in the early hours, anxious to know the verdict.

After being told of the death sentence by a reporter, Bahjat, a Sunni Arab in Mosul, asked:

"So they sentenced him to death for the killings that happened when he was a president. Who is going to sentence the leaders now for the everyday killings that are happening in the country?"

Others questioned whether Saddam's death would bring back vital services like electricity and clean drinking water and, above all, stability and security to Iraq.

"Things were difficult under Saddam, we understand why. But now what is their excuse? Why can't we have electricity? Security? Why can't we have proper schools for our children?" said Abu Yasser, 30, in Mosul.

In the flashpoint town of Baquba, hundreds defied a curfew to protest the verdict and police fired warning shots, wounding one person, police said.

In Saddam's hometown of Tikrit, several dozen people, mostly teenagers, chanted songs supporting Saddam and raised his picture as they marched in the streets, watched closely by Iraqi police.

"The sentence against President Saddam will make the situation deteriorate more," said tribal leader Mohammad al-Dulaimi, 55, in Ramadi, capital of the Sunni province of Anbar.

"Saddam will remain a symbol for all Iraqis because he refused to concede to the Americans," he said.

The Sunni Arab minority was dominant under Saddam. Feeling that they have lost, they refused to take part in the political process after his fall and have formed the backbone of the insurgency.

Last year some Sunni Arabs took part in the country's elections but violence has continued. A plethora of Shi'ite militias have sprouted in response and Sunni Arabs now blame them for kidnappings and killings by death squads.

"I feel sad for Saddam, we have wronged him. We did not support him," said Haitham, 42, in Mosul.

"But now, after what we have seen, what has happened since he was toppled, it has become clear to us that he was the best man in the world."

"JUSTICE SERVED"

In Baghdad, gunshots were heard in celebration right after the verdict was announced and Iraqis began phoning each other to make sure that everybody knew about the sentence.

Hundreds in the Shi'ite slum district of Sadr City came out to celebrate despite an early morning curfew, dancing in the streets and chanting slogans against Saddam.

For Shi'ites who were oppressed under Saddam, the verdict was music to their ears.

"This is exactly what Saddam deserves for all the crimes he committed against the people of Iraq. God willing, he will be executed," said Mohammad Esa, 27, in Najaf.

In Basra, 35-year-old Hazim Messabih said he was happy but added: "To execute Saddam once is not enough as Saddam destroyed a whole country. And the real joy will be the occupation forces leaving Iraq."

Many had stories to tell of oppression and injustice.

"He stole 15 years from my life in prison on fake charges," said Mohammad Abdul Jabar, 40, a worker in the southern city of Basra.

Um Hussain, a housewife in Najaf, wept when she heard the news, saying: "The court has brought justice for my son who was killed by Saddam."

AlertNet news is provided by

del.icio.us  |   Digg  |   NewsVine  |   Reddit