When US marines helped crowds of ordinary Iraqis pull down a huge statue of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, it was a sign that the war was almost over.

Millions of people in this country and even more abroad had severe doubts over the wisdom of Britain and the US in starting this conflict, particularly without United Nations support.

But almost no one defended the vile regime of Saddam Hussein which has seen the torture and slaughter of many people.

Once the war started three weeks ago, public opinion quickly switched with a majority backing the action.

Most people will be relieved, whatever their feelings about the war, if Baghdad is now liberated and no more blood shed.

Among them will be Amer Albazaz, from Brighton, who has many members of his family living in the Iraqi capital. He does not know if they are alive or dead.

The amazing scenes yesterday on television were similar to those when Communism collapsed and the felling of the statue was as symbolic as the destruction of the Berlin wall.

Conducting this war under the full gaze of television with the need to keep civilian casualties to a minimum has been a tough assignment for coalition forces.

But it will be nothing compared with the long and arduous task of keeping the peace and rebuilding a country that has been battered and bruised for far too long.