In quotes: Baghdad falls
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2933363.stm
As jubilant Iraqis tear down Saddam Hussein's statue in Baghdad, the coalition, international politicians and the Arab world comment on the crumbling of the regime.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair:
This conflict is not over yet. There is still resistance, not broadly spread among the Iraqi people, but among those parts of Saddam's regime that want to cling on to power.
Spokesman for US President George W Bush, Ari Fleischer:
We are still in the midst of a shooting war, and men and women are still in harm's way. The war is not over. There remain a lot of dangers ahead.
US Vice-President Dick Cheney:
We are seeing the collapse of the central regime authority.
German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder:
There are joyous signs that show that this could soon be the end of the war. The important thing now is to make a political profit out of a probable and welcome victory. That will only be the case if the Iraqi people can decide itself on its political and economic conditions.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher:
Jordan cannot, naturally, recognise an occupying power. The Iraqi people should rule themselves.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal:
The government in Baghdad we will deal with is the one chosen by the Iraqi people. We will accept whatever the Iraqi people decide.
Iranian TV channel al-Alam:
These pictures show that Saddam's regime had no popular base whatsoever. As soon as they had the first opportunity to get rid of him, look what they are doing.
Kuwaiti TV commentator:
It looks to me as if the people want to execute criminal Saddam. This shows the claim that people had loved Saddam and that everyone voted for him in the last election was a big lie.
Abu Dhabi TV presenter:
Baghdad people must be feeling sad at witnessing the fall of their capital.
Ayub, Iraqi citizen:
This is the greatest feeling I've had in my life, after spending 11 years in military service because of all the wars Saddam has put us through.
Mohammed Mutawali, Jordanian citizen:
It's the saddest news I ever heard. This was an Arab problem that Arabs should have solved. We're frightened about what the Americans and British will do next.
Ali al-Sayed, lawyer in Khartoum, Sudan:
People under oppression will not have any national feeling, so they will be happy to see someone removing a dictator and liberating them. But the moment they feel free and liberated, they will not tolerate a foreign presence.
Said, Egyptian waiter:
Iraqis are preparing a trap for the American troops. They are deceiving the Americans with their smiles so that at the right time, they can take revenge.
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