In pictures: Saddam toppled

In pictures: Saddam toppled

1 of 10 US marines took up positions around a huge statue of the Iraqi leader in central Fardus Square

2 of 10 A noose was fastened around the neck of the towering bronze statue...

3 of 10 ... and a huge sledgehammer was taken to the massive plinth

4 of 10 But after all the attempts failed, US marines moved in with an armoured vehicle and a chain.

5 of 10 They briefly draped the 'Stars-and-Stripes' flag over the face of Saddam...

6 of 10 ...but the gesture stirred anger, and instead the troops worked to topple the statue

7 of 10 As the crane pulled, the statue - to the sound of a roaring Iraqi crowd - at first only bent from its pedestal....

8 of 10 ....but then it snapped completely, to roars of approval from the crowd.

9 of 10 And the crowd stamped on its remains, kicking and spitting on the rubble...

10 of 10 ...and then started to rip apart the statue of the Iraqi leader