sadaam is now a martyr to many, and that dangerous sentiment is spreading rapidly across the arab world. reports say the previous anger directed at sadaam for his murderous reign has been largely forgiven. instead in this disastrous turn of events they are now aiming their rage against both the "puppet" government in iraq and the united states - specifically because of the guard's humiliation of sadaam and his perceived strength of character displayed standing up to them at his execution.
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"His public image in the Arab world, formerly that of a convicted dictator, has undergone a resurgence of admiration and awe.
On the streets, in newspapers and over the Internet, Mr. Hussein has emerged as a Sunni Arab hero who stood calm and composed as his Shiite executioners tormented and abused him.
In Morocco and the Palestinian territories, demonstrators held aloft photographs of Mr. Hussein and condemned the United States.
In Libya a statue depicting Mr. Hussein in the gallows would be erected.
By standing up to the United States and its client government in Baghdad and dying with seeming dignity, Mr. Hussein appears to have been virtually cleansed of his past.
'God damn America and its spies,' a banner across one major Beirut thoroughfare read. 'Our condolences to the nation for the assassination of Saddam, and victory to the Iraqi resistance.'"
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