Graffiti, flowers on anniversary of Saddam execution

By Sabah al-Bazi and Ghazwan al-Jubouri

TIKRIT, Iraq (Reuters) - Black graffiti lauding Saddam Hussein appeared overnight in his home town and small groups of mourners turned out at his grave on Sunday, the first anniversary of the former Iraqi leader's execution.

"There is no life without the sun and no dignity without Saddam," read one painted slogan in his home town, Tikrit, north of Baghdad. "Paradise for the hero Saddam," read another.

The graffiti appeared on buildings including the town's police station and its agriculture and electricity directorates.

Saddam was hanged for crimes against humanity in a rushed execution criticised by the international community. Fellow Sunni Arabs were also angered by illicitly filmed footage that showed Shi'ite officials taunting him on the gallows.

In Awja, the village near Tikrit that is Saddam's birthplace and his final resting place, Reuters Television filmed men, women and children crowding around his flower-covered tomb in a hall attached to a mosque.

Seven poets recited poetry praising Saddam near his grave, and a group of about 25 men sat talking about life under Saddam and how Iraq had changed since his execution.

"A year has passed since the death of the leader but no positive changes have taken place. Things are worse -- we are ruled by Iran and America. The leader has been killed to satisfy Iran," said Adnan Jassim, 38, from Tikrit.

At the time of Saddam's execution Iraq was racked by sectarian violence that pushed the country to the brink of civil war. One year on, violence has dropped sharply, in part because of a new counter-insurgency strategy adopted by U.S. forces and a rebellion by Sunni tribes against al Qaeda.