Egyptian MP Hamadein Sabahi: Saddam Hussein Was My Hero, Despite His Human Rights Record

Following are excerpts from an interview with Egyptian MP Hamadein Sabahi, which aired on Al-Mihwar TV on April 5, 2008.

Hamadein Sabahi: For me, Saddam Hussein was an Arab national hero in the struggle against America and Israel. By no means was he a model democratic ruler. Like all Arab rulers, his reign was full of violations of human rights. He didn't invent anything in this respect, by the way. Let me tell you, I was brought up as a Nasserist, and I am proud of this, but I was one of the harshest critics of Gamal Abd Al-Nasser and his state, when it came to human rights. Neither Saddam Hussein nor any of the Arab leaders is a democratic ruler worthy of being viewed as a model or being praised for his democracy. I have said this many times, before and after Saddam Hussein's death. But that autocratic, totalitarian, and tyrannical ruler, Saddam Hussein, met his death with courage and honor, that absolved all the sins he had committed. I support anyone who stands up to America.

Interviewer: Whoever he may be?

Hamadein Sabahi: I support anyone who stands up to America and Israel.