Palestinian militants and public condemn Saddam' execution

Palestinians on Saturday condemned the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, who used to be a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause, and mourned his demise.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah movement on Saturday condemned the execution as a "political assassination."

"It is a crime of political assassination for every one supports the Palestinian cause," the Brigades said in a statement faxed to reporters.

"This crime was carried out according to American and Zionist agenda that eliminate everything stand by the Palestinian people," the statement added.

The Brigades have also called for three days of mourning.

Meanwhile, the armed offshoot of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) have mourned Saddam and slammed Arab leaders who remained silence over Saddam's death.

"We tell Arab leaders that your silence is considered as approval of what the Americans and their spies have done," a statement by the PRC said.

So far there has been no reaction from the Palestinian President or the Hamas-led government which has most of officials performing the hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Palestinian human rights organization has also slammed the death penalty against the ousted Iraqi president.

On the streets there were scenes of sadness and mourning though the execution took place on the first day of Muslims' festival of Greater Bairam.

Groups of people took to the streets in sporadic and unorganized rallies, holding pictures for Saddam and shouting slogans against Israel, the United States and Arab leaders.

"His soul will remain and will give us more power to resist American plans," said Yousef Mussa, 36, who was participating in a rally in the Beach refugee camp in the west of Gaza city.

Before the U.S.-led invasion took place in Iraq, Saddam used to finance families of Palestinian martyrs and suicide bombers. Right before his death, Saddam said "Palestine is Arab."

Source: Xinhua