Arab reaction: Arabs grudgingly welcomed the capture of Saddam Hussein yesterday, their satisfaction that the dictator was behind bars tinged with annoyance that President Bush would get the credit.
But they also said the fight against US occupation in Iraq was not yet over for Mr Bush, who many Arabs believe has waged a campaign against them and other Muslims since the September 11th attacks.
"It is happy news but we wish it was the Iraqi people who had captured him, not US troops, because this will give Bush a boost in the upcoming election," said Bahraini salesman Hussein Jafar as news of Saddam's capture swept through Arab capitals.
"I only wish it was not the Americans who got him. I don't like Saddam but as an Arab I wouldn't like to see them dragging him around Baghdad," said Syrian student Abdul-Nasser.
For others, the capture was disappointing news. Saddam may have brutally oppressed his people, but many in the Middle East saw him as the only Arab leader who stood up to the United States, which they said rode roughshod through the region.
"Of course it's bad news. To us, Saddam was a symbol of defiance to the US plans in the region. And we support any person who stands in the face of the American dominance," said Azzam Hneidi, an Islamist member of Jordan's parliament.
But Arabs, some incredulous that Saddam was caught alive, said the US success might prove fleeting because Iraqis were not fighting for Saddam but to rid the country of US troops.
"The situation in Iraq will not change much. I don't think the resistance was linked to Saddam and it will increase as was the case after the death of Uday and Qusay," said Yemeni political analyst Saeed Shabet, referring to Saddam's two sons.
In Gaza and the West Bank, where Palestinians are fighting against an Israeli occupation, some were in sombre mood that the United States, perceived as providing unswerving support for Israel, could claim victory.
"It's a black day in history. I am saying so not because Saddam is an Arab but because he is the only man who said 'no' to American injustice in the Middle East," said Fadiq Husam, a 33-year-old taxi driver in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
Arab officials said Iraqis should decide on Saddam's fate and said they hoped it might speed up the handover of power. - (Reuters)