Brutal dictator Saddam executed

From the archive, first published Saturday 30th Dec 2006.

Saddam Hussein, the dictator who ruled Iraq for a quarter of a century, was executed today in northern Baghdad at about 3am UK time.

US president George Bush called 69-year-old Saddam's execution "the kind of justice he denied the victims of his brutal regime".

Mr Bush said the execution marked the "end of a difficult year for the Iraqi people and for our troops".

But despite Saddam's removal from power, America, Britain and the new Iraqi leaders remain in a fight to quell any possible uprising by Saddam loyalists.

Footage of Saddam being led to the gallows was shown later on Iraqi TV.

British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said in a statement: "I welcome the fact that Saddam Hussein has been tried by an Iraqi court for crimes he committed against the Iraqi people. He has now been held to account."

But she said the British government did not support the use of the death penalty.