Bottom Lines

"Where is that pistol that Saddam used to have? Where is the pistol that was described as Saddam's oldest and best friend? Where is the bullet that was said Saddam would use to deny his enemies the pleasure of capturing and humiliating him as a prisoner... The man was made out to be a myth that he was not up to," -- Ghassan Charbale, Al-Hayat

"You have to go to Ramallah to see the thousands of families that were supported by Saddam when the heads and sons of these families were killed at the hands of the Israelis... Then you will know exactly what Saddam did to serve Arab interests," -- Alaa Mahmoud, a Palestinian, Al-Quds Al-Arabi

"I wished, though, it had been a national popular revolution, even with foreign support, that toppled Saddam Hussein... Saddam's regime subjected its people to more horrors than any other Arab government," -- Wessam, Sa'ada, As-Safir

"No Arab would have hoped to see this done to an Arab president of one of the most important Arab countries, Iraq." -- Ibrahim Nafie, Al-Ahram's editor-in-chief

"It is unfortunate and painful that the announcement of his capture was made by [Paul] Bremer, the representative of the American occupation. It is sad, especially since the people of Iraq who live under occupation are the victims from beginning to end." -- Galal Dweidar, Al-Akhbar'

"It is difficult for us and for others to comprehend why he did not defend himself and allowed American forces to arrest him with such ease. It's as though he was somebody else, not the one we know, the strong and fearless dictator." -- Mohamed Barakat, Akher Sa'a