US President George W. Bush on Sunday hailed the conviction of Saddam Hussein for crimes against humanity as a "major achievement" and a "milestone" for Iraq's move to democracy. "The trial is a milestone in the Iraqi people's efforts to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law," Bush said.
"It's a major achievement for Iraq's young democracy and its constitutional government. During Saddam Hussein's trial, the court received evidence from 130 witnesses," the president said.
"The man who once struck fear in the hearts of Iraqis had to listen to free Iraqis recount the acts of torture and murder that he ordered against their families and against them."
A White House spokesman earlier said the trial validated US policy in Iraq ahead of this week's pivotal US legislative elections, which have been dominated by the war in Iraq.