Most of the Iraqi expats believed that Iraq should be left to decide it's own fate and future, including that of Saddam Hussein, and that the right of governance through a truly elected government should rest with the people of the country. "Any failure to allow the people of Iraq to elect their own government democratically, through mass participation of the people in elections would lead to continued bloodshed" seemed to be the message of the expat Iraqis.

Here is what they had to say about the goings-on in their motherland:

Gais, an Iraqi from Sharjah: I agree with Saddam Hussein when he said during the trial that everything based on falsehood is falsehood, because the court was authorised to conduct the trial by the occupation forces, not by Iraqi people who suffered under his regime. Saddam has said that what is happening to him now will definitely set a precedent for injustice in the international arena.

The present government and the US occupation wants Saddam to face the death penalty, which would result in continued bloodshed in Iraq. If Saddam is sentenced to death, the present government leader will also face capital punishment if a new government comes to power, and bloodshed will persist in Iraq forever. The only solution for Iraq is to kick the occupation forces out of the country, gain independence and elect a legal government elected by the people of Iraq.

I believe Saddam is not guilty of any of the charges read out by the judge in regard to mass killing in the Iraqi village of Dujail in 1982, because the people of this village tried to assassinate him while he was in a presidential caravan that was organised to visit the village. Attempting to assassinate a president of the country is treason.

Mohammed Al Tikriti, an Iraqi based in Dubai: The trial of Saddam is a ridiculous TV show. The crimes including torture and murder which Saddam committed during the 35 years of his regime, the occupation forces have committed in just two years. Will Bush be tried one day on the crimes that his forces committed in Iraq? The trial is a great insult not only to the Iraqis but all Arabs. The trial is illegal because it was set up under occupation. After the Americans quit Iraq, then the right Iraqi government should set up a fair trial for Saddam Hussein.

Iraq will only move forward when the occupation forces leave the country. The invasion by the coalition forces has fractured and divided the country. For sure, there will be bloodshed after the US withdrawal, but it is only Iraqis who can solve their problems, not foreign powers or their puppets.

Ogail Ahmed: I am an Iraqi citizen and I don't like Saddam, but I believe that there can be no fair trial under US occupation. The trial should have been conducted under the International Court of Justice. I have no love for Saddam Hussein, but I certainly hope that he exposes all western politicians and companies who supplied him with the necessary arms and ammunition, including chemical weapons that were used to gas the Kurds and Iranian troops during the 1980s.

The few disssenting voices against giving Saddam Hussein the luxury of a fair trial believe he deserves nothing but the firing squad. This is what they had to say :

  I. B., a Dubai-based construction engineer: The trial is a waste of time and money for the Iraqis. There is no doubt Saddam and his sons committed crimes against humanity and are responsible for murdering thousands of people. And the despot did not kill these thousands through a fair trial, so why should he be given a fair trial? In my opinion, he should be shot or beheaded as soon as possible. Those who think Saddam is an innocent angel with white spotless wings did not lose a family member to his thugs, and hence, these people should just shut up. The only thing that worries me is that Saddam is being used as an icon of a community, which he certainly is not, and handing him a capital punishment will shatter the society on sectarian grounds.

Umm Reem: After losing four of my family members under Saddam's regime and his merciless killers, my only hope is to see him pay for his crimes one day. I hope that day will come soon.

It is evident from what the Iraqis had to say on the Saddam trial that despite the difference of opinion, the one common factor that still runs through all the Iraqis and binds them, irrespective of sect and faith, is the love of their land, the hope for it's prosperity, and a deep revulsion to the presence of foreign forces on their soil.

Arab expats have mixed feelings

DUBAI —The response from different Arab nationalities was mixed, but respondents with pro-trial views were more vociferous and open about their views.

Anwar Qabbani, a Lebanese: The trial is fair since any new government ruling Iraq would have to, in future, lay the foundations for a new justice system. It is essential that other governments and countries realise that a new regime in Iraq with new rules and principles would be far removed from injustice and tyranny. I think the Saddam era and the harm he had done to his country and citizens will be buried and forgotten by the end of the trial.

Maha, an Iraqi citizen: I do not sympathise with Saddam Hussein, but I doubt the fairness of the hearing since it was set up by the American occupiers. From the beginning of Saddam's regime 35 years ago till his fall, no fair trials were conducted. It is very obvious that Saddam is being treated very well during the trial and not as a criminal, especially when the security guards tried to grab Saddam Hussein by his arms during the recess, but he resisted and insisted on moving out of the court unescorted with no one holding him. I think Saddam should be dealt with strictly since he was a brutal leader with no heart or mercy. The way he has conducted himself during trial indicates that he thinks he is still a dictator, who has pleaded not guilty to the crimes he committed despite the fact that he led Iraq to poverty, killed husbands of his daughters and invaded Iran and Kuwait. During his reign which I hate recalling, Saddam deprived the Iraqis of freedom and their rights, killed so many innocent people and invaded his neighbouring countries.

Trials are conducted for people who could turn out to be innocent, but Saddam has a black past, whether in his country or outside Iraq. He is not worth the trial and should be executed to put an end to his black past. We Iraqi suffered a lot from his tyranny and executing him is the best thing that can happen since that would set an example for other leaders who may try to tread his path. Iraqis are desperately waiting for the day when they would be able to rule their country themselves, without Saddam or any similar leader, and also without the US and British occupation.