Extremely good news, particularly for the people of Iraq. They now know that he cannot come back. The elections next year will not be overshadowed by the prospect of an re-emergence of the Ba'ath Party - that has now gone for good. The waiverers, the Iraqi's who still feared Saddam, and his possible return, can now make their decision openly with regard to what they want to see happen in Iraq.

What will happen to him? He will be tried in Iraq, by an Iraqi court, the trial will be public, the outcome of that trial is not in doubt.