The capture at last of Saddam Hussein is wonderful news. It stands to change everything. Particularly, it is the end of the awful nightmare of the people of Iraq, who feared that the man who brutalized their country for 35 years might yet return to power and wreak terrible vengeance on those who cheered his downfall.

The man who promised to fight to the bitter end was found cowering alone in a hole with $750,000 in dollar bills and a personal weapon which, for all his former braggadocio, he chose not to use. Hopefully the pit in which he was concealed is also the grave for all despotism in the region, Never again must such a tyrant be allowed to besmirch the Arab world with his brutality.

The coalition had begun to doubt it would ever happen, but eight months after hostilities were declared over, the moment has come. There has been no concealing American and British delight. Nevertheless, the violence may not be over. It is clear that the coalition has been facing attacks not only from Saddam loyalists but also from outside extremists, motivated by hatred of the United States and implacable opposition to its invasion and occupation of Iraq.

But the wickedness of these men of violence may also be coming to an end. The capture of the Iraqi dictator is going to have a massive psychological effect on the Iraqis. They will be emboldened to fight back, to report suspicions and inform on known militants. Until now they could not be certain if the murderous attacks — both on coalition forces and Iraqis who are cooperating with them and seeking to rebuild the country — were part of a campaign coordinated by the tyrant in order that one day he might return to power.

Though there may still be a few die-hard Saddam loyalists who will seek to continue his vicious campaign, their leader is gone. He will not be back.

The savage attacks by outside forces will now be seen for what they are, an alien intervention in the affairs of Iraq. Ordinary Iraqis, who can now at long last see their way clear to a stable and peaceful future, will have no hesitation in indentifying and reporting these murderous elements. The specter of a return to tyranny has gone. People can look to the future.

The US says it wants to return Iraq to the Iraqis by next summer. Now that Saddam’s overthrow is complete, Washington may accelerate its withdrawal. However, much remains to be done to end lawlessness and restore the shattered economy. The wounds that Saddam left on his people will take years to heal. Ahead lies the tyrant’s trial, in which those injuries will doubtless be relived. But for the moment, this is a great day for Iraq and its people, a great day for the Arab world.