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Akif and Mateen joined us from Iraq. They said that many believed he was just a legend, but now they are pleased that 'this brutal killer' is dead. They said he had so much blood on his hands.

Abdullah, an Iraqi in London, said that Zarqawi was a criminal who killed indiscriminately, anyone whether Shia, Sunni or Kurd.

We then heard comments from a poor neighbourhood in Cairo. One Egyptian said that a great warrior had been lost in the jihad.

Akif said that the Egyptian brothers talked this way because they never tasted the terror of Zarqawi. Mateen said we on the ground are better aware of the situation.

We Iraqis know better. We know the situation. They are criminals in the true sense of the world. What does this mean when people explode bombs in the markets, in the mosques? These people call themselves Muslims?

Akif said that this was a new chance. He said that the country had a window of opportunity to take advantage of this opportunity.

Magdi Abdelhadi, ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Arab Affairs analyst, also joined us and talked about the wide range of opinion across the Middle east. He gave us a sense of what was being said on jihadi websites including that of Al Qaeda in Iraq. They celebrated the martrydom of Zarqawi.

Laura Price is the morning host of a talk radio programme in Fayetteville North Carolina near several military bases. Her listeners were excited but wondered what the reprecussions would be. Would there be more IEDs (improvised explosive devices)? Would there be reprisal attacks against US troops?

Reaction in Jordan

We spoke to Naomi in Amman Jordan. She was in a shop there when she saw a man begin to cry. She knew that there was a television behind her. She asked him what had happened. He told her that Zarqawi was dead. He raised his hands in celebration.

And now more texts. Husny had this to say from the UK

I am very happy 2 hear that the death of the terrorist al-zarkawy. Islam has been hijack by the (wahabee) narrow minded.

We also got this text message from Nimmi in Oman:

I wonder if the death of al Zarqawi is really the end of sectarian violence, or is someone else going to take up his place? Is iraq really going to get better.

Martin in Mississippi said that Zarqawi's death would not make up for the thousands of innocent Iraqis that he has killed. He was a symbol but possibly dead, now hopefully something good can happen in Iraq.

Magdi said that Zarqawi one of the most important authors of sectarian violence in Iraq. He said that it was up to Iraqi politicians now to take advantage of this opportunity to quell the sectarian violence in the country.

Text messages from Africa

We always get a strong text message from across Africa. Musa sent us this message from Lagos:

There are 3 key players responsible for the blood bath in Iraq; Al-Zaqawi, Bush and Blair. With one down, two yet to follow. There is little to cheer.

Kamau NG'ang'a In Nairobi, Kenya sent us this text message:

Allies must use this death to helq defuse Iraqi uprising. Zarqawis could mutate everywhere - our main concern being Somalia next door.

Kolubah Akoi in Monrovia had this to say:

I was so overjoy when i heard on the B B C today that this most wanted terrorist Abu al zakawe was killed,victories to all peace loving people of Iraqi and the world. Peace will always win.

Umar sent us this Kampala Uganda:

Shame on the west, al-zaqawi was not fighting 4 personal/political gain but 4 islam. There are many Osamas and al-Zaqawis. May allah guide them.

Alexis in Zambia had this to say:

Al zarkawi was a mad man, no martyr, & an absolute savage. But as to whether he takes the unenviable position as the # 1killer on earth as rumsfield claimed, I honestly differ. Remember hiroshima? Were all those guilty?

Peter Gitari sent us this text from Meru Kenya:

If only he could die twice. How can you be so inhuman and without an agenda for negotiation?

We also had this anonymous text message:

If the Americans were not in Iraq the world will not have known any Al-zakawi. So for all the violence, I blame the Americans.

Emmanuel in Nigeria thought that the US should be a bit more careful about talking about their methods:

Whether inside info or not, Americans shd be more careful with the way they disclose their sources.

Umar Abdalarahman in Lira Uganda sent us this text message:

May Allah reward him with paradise, the struggle continues. Allahu akbar.

Walter in Sudan sent us this text message:

The death of Abu Musab Al-zakawi is the begining of the end of terrorism in the Arab world. Bin Laden, beware. Bravo Bush.