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Iraqi toppled President Saddam Hussein got expected death sentence on Sunday, arousing protests among Sunnis and celebrations among Shiites.

The apparent different reactions from the two divided sectors seem to testify fears that the ruling can hardly bring peace to the war-torn country, but more chaos.

A political verdict?

Local observers pointed out it is not a simple coincidence that the verdict came two days before US congressional elections.

As Iraqi situation is deteriorating and spiraling out of control, US President George W. Bush's Republicans are at risk of losing control of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

In October, the US military witnessed the bloodiest month this year, losing 105 soldiers, which prompted embattled Bush to consider readjusting policy towards Iraq.

For the Bush administration, the verdict is definitely a "rare good news" from Iraq, which is plagued by rampant tit-for-tat attacks between Shiites and Sunnis, insurgent violence against US troops.

"The ball is in the Americans' field," said Ali Mahmoud, a 55- year-old lawyer, adding the United States wanted to show they made great progress in defeating Saddam and brought democracy to the Iraqi people.

This viewpoint is echoed by a former soldier under Saddam regime, Ghassan Ibrahim, who denounced the verdict as "a political one."

Spasm of violence feared

The verdict also unleashed the fear of a spasm of violence targeting US military, the Iraqi authorities and rival sectors, which will make the country more divided and closer to a civil war.

Many Sunnis believed that the US government manipulated the trial of their former leader for political benefits and the verdict was unjust.

Though Saddam has been in jail for nearly three years, he is still imposing some effect on Iraqi situation, because many Sunni militants are former soldiers or intelligence officers during the ruling of Saddam.

The Iraqi government has taken severe security measures in a bid to avoid possible violence.

Law obstacles ahead

Local media reported that taking some law obstacles and current volatile situation in Iraq into account, Saddam may not face gallows soon.

Under the current Iraqi law, both the prosecution and the defendant may appeal errors of law and procedure as well as material errors of fact within 30 days after the judgment or decision in question is issued. Death penalty and life sentence automatically require review.

The review has no time limit but the death sentence, if upheld, must be carried out within 30 days. That is to say, the execution could last a long period of time, probably months or years.

Furthermore, the Iraqi Presidency Council consisting of president and vice presidents must ratify any death sentence.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has made clear that he would not sign death warrants. It is unclear whether Iraq's vice presidents would like to follow suit.

(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2006)