US News
White House spokesman: Saddam verdict a great day for Iraqis
By DPA
Nov 5, 2006, 19:00 GMT

Washington - White House spokesman Tony Snow said Sunday that the death sentence verdict against former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was a great day for the Iraqis.

In remarks to the television networks NBC and CNN, Snow said it had sown that an indpendent legal system was functioning, which was encouraging.

President George W Bush was to comment later Sunday on the Baghdad verdict.

Snow rejected suggestions that the timing of the verdict was planned just ahead of the US Congressional elections on Tuesday in order to help out Bush's beleaguered Republican party.

'This idea is preposterous,' the White House spokesman said.

Harry Reid, leader of the opposition Democrats in the US Senate, hailed the verdict.

'Today, the Iraqi people received the justice they long deserved. Saddam Hussein was a brutal tyrant who brought nothing but fear and oppression to millions. Hopefull this verdict will be an important part of healing the deep wounds he inflicted on his own country.'