BBC Reporters' Log on the events of Saddam's capture

London :: John Simpson :: 1735GMT

Saddam's capture is an extraordinary melodrama. Ad Dawr, where he was caught, was where he was born, where his appalling stepfather used to humiliate him and beat him. It was a place that he hated. One of his confidantes told me that when he drove past it he would turn his face away, he wouldn't look at it.

To be caught there, with a pistol in his possession, yet not kill himself or defend himself, is a remarkable end to an extraordinary life.

Isn't it just? And just like a movie plot. Which a lot of life is. But this is too much.

Jerusalem :: Barbara Plett :: 1730GMT

I would say there are mixed views here on the street to Saddam's capture. There isn't widespread rejoicing here. There's a sombre mood amongst Palestinians who believed that he supported their cause, unlike other Arab leaders who they think have sold out on them.

In the wider Arab world many people saw him as an Arab nationalist, who would stand up to the Americans. They were disappointed that he didn't put up more a fight.

And even those who were happy to see the back of him would have preferred not to see him captured by the Americans. Seeing him dishevelled and unkempt is in some ways a humiliating experience for Arabs.

Bingo.

Washington D.C. :: Justin Webb :: 1705GMT

There is no doubt this is a major political boost for President Bush. The man who is likeliest to become the Democrats' nominee for next November's presidential election, Howard Dean, is an anti war person. Not all the Democrats are, but Howard Dean is very anti war and has been extremely critical of the White House and suggested that they have got bogged down in Iraq since the war.

Now, it is very difficult for him. He is actually meant to be making a major foreign policy speech tomorrow and he will find the wind taken out of his sails.

Ah, the timing. It was especially good, wasn't it? I think they figured it might not get any better. Syria getting put out over the Accountability Act, everybody getting put out over the stupid "international law? I better see my lawyer" line and the contracts denial fiasco. The steel tariff showdown that Bush backed away from. The Turkey Day show fiasco. Even Michael Jackson's arrest hadn't been enough to cover all that.

Baghdad :: James Rogers :: 1700GMT

People in the coalition and in the streets of Iraq did not expect Saddam Hussein to be captured alive. Now that he has been captured in an apparently humiliating way, we see this rather tired old man with a long beard from his many days on the run. People are really surprised to see this man who set himself up for so many years as the strong man of this country, who ruled it with an iron fist - the supreme dictator - now reduced to hiding in a hole in the ground.

Major General Ray Ordierno, referring to that, in a twist of irony said that he was hiding in a hole in the ground just across the river from where he lorded over his people in luxurious palaces.

Great part of the story's plot. It's just all so perfect.

Downing Street, London :: James Landale :: 1655GMT

Tony Blair said Saddam's capture was good news for the Iraqi people, but its also good news for him. For months the failure to find weapons of mass destruction, the worsening security situation and the lingering questions of the Hutton Inquiry have combined to put the prime minister on the back foot over Iraq. Now he's hoping that today's events will turn the debate back in his favour and heal a few wounds in the Labour party.

But why should it? They still haven't found WMD. The security situation is still bad. And the Hutton Inquiry's questions still stand.

The sad thing is that so many people, leaders, reporters, see this as a vindication and a victory. It's nothing of the sort. If you are going to use the excuse that Saddam was gotten rid of to justify what you are doing in Iraq now, which they have been doing all along - hey, would you rather Saddam were still in power? - you cannot use that as a new justification now.

....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.

BBC Reporter's Log