Statue of Saddam's predecessor toppled by Baghdad crowd

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- With the help of a crane, dozens of Iraqis chanting anti-Baath Party slogans toppled a statue of former President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr Sunday in the upscale Baghdad district of al-Mansour.

The black bronze statue's head was first cut off and then the rest tumbled down. Some in the crowd later stood atop the statue in triumph, bludgeoning it with sledgehammers.

Al-Bakr came to power in a 1968 coup and remained in office until 1979. Saddam Hussein wielded vast influence during al-Bakr's years at the helm.

Saddam succeeded al-Bakr in 1979, becoming the head of the Baath Party as well.

Al-Bakr died in 1982.

Saddam remained in office for more than 23 years until his ouster last month, when American forces captured Baghdad in the U.S.-led war on Iraq.

The Baath Party was banned by U.S. authorities last week.

Graffiti on the base of al-Bakr's statue said: "Oh, Saddam, we shall avenge you." It was dated April 28, Saddam's birthday.

Saddam's own statues in Baghdad and elsewhere in Iraq have been toppled by crowds. Most of the thousands of portraits, posters and murals bearing his image have either been defaced or destroyed.