Iraqis at the hometown of Saddam Hussein were in sombre mood after news of his arrest today, but US troops in the town were jubilant.
While most Iraqis in other parts of Iraq rejoiced after hearing Saddam was arrested by US forces just south of Tikrit, residents of the town near where Saddam was born clearly thought his arrest was the result of betrayal and a major blow.
"Today is the day that Iraq was defeated not in April," Hamid, a barber, told Reuters in Tikrit. US-led forces toppled Saddam in April and forced him into hiding. "There are no longer any Muslims in Iraq because there is no betrayal in Islam...there is no Islam here," a sombre-looking Hamid said.
The Sunni Muslim town was very calm. Few people were on the streets and most shops were closed. In residential areas many apartments and houses had their doors closed and shutters down on their windows.
"Everyone who is cheering now also clapped for Saddam," Wael, who owns a print shop, said. "There is no honour in this country, they just sold him."
At the nearby US military headquarters where the 4th Infantry Division forces that took part in the search for Saddam are based, the mood was completely different. "It's unbelievable," said Major Lyle Lacroix from Kansas City. "I felt great. It's the best news I have heard all year."
Captain Clint Sperry, from the same unit said: "Maybe we will go home a little sooner."
Some 600 US 4th Infantry division troops together with coalition Special Forces were involved in the operation on the town of Al-Dawr, near Tikrit in northern Iraq
Along with the former Iraqi dictator, troops discovered US $750,000 cash in $100 bills, two AK-47 machine guns, a pistol and two other Iraqi associates. A white and orange taxi was parked in the compound.
No shots were fired during the operation, and Saddam Hussein offered no resistance.
The disheveled figure of Saddam was then taken to an undisclosed location for questioning.