The killings are mercifully abating all over Iraq. The people of Iraq are finally beginning to savor some peace. After a long period of tyranny followed by a decade of cruel UN sanctions which reportedly hurt or killed over half a million children, they were rewarded with an awesome demonstration of the weapons of mass destruction carried out in the name of freedom.

And while many have not lived to see this day, many more are rightfully rejoicing. They may not all be on the streets. But they are finally targets no more. And for them we rejoice as well, relieved that this madness is soon coming to an end.

Notwithstanding the lootings and near state of anarchy in Iraq, the people are resilient and will hopefully forge a new nation, one that will provide no other nation any further pretext for aggression. They deserve nothing less.

The role of the US government must be wise and judicious. The destruction of the infrastructure, of electrical and water supplies, of urgently needed medical and food assistance has left many in dire need. Their rebuilding must take priority over the saber rattling of the likes of Mr. Rumsfeld, who after the fall of Baghdad has begun to shift his sights onto Syria.

Syria is not Iraq. It is not governed by a tyrant, and Syria’s is not an oppressive dictatorship. Unlike the Iraqis, who were occupied so long from within, the Syrians stand by their government and not in fear of it. And theirs has not been an aggressive agenda.

If indeed this whole madness was to help Iraq and nothing else, then let us see the positive steps taken by Mr. Bush now. Let him dispel the suspicions that there were other grand plans or hidden agendas. The Iraqis will have to run their country and govern their resources in the way they see fit. That is the law we all should live by.

And let Mr. Bush shift his attention to another tyrant in the region. Ariel Sharon, his man of peace, who has been quietly proceeding with his own agenda of ethnic cleansing while we remain distracted by Iraq. Let this whole region be free from weapons of mass destruction. Who needs them?

Let Mr. Bush cease the arming and funding of this despot. Let him demand from Mr. Sharon and the state of Israel the destruction of these weapons. Let him dispel the notion that this aggression on Iraq was motivated by his alliance with Mr. Sharon.

For as long as the statehood of Palestine remains elusive or obscured, there will be no peace in the region. Terror breeds terrorists, and if the right steps are not taken now, there will be many more for generations to come.

Yes indeed, we rejoice with the people of Iraq. For they shall no longer remain targets to madness, to tyranny, to sanctions or to cluster bombs.

In the aftermath of the events in Iraq, the eyes of the world will be focused on each action taken by the US government in the region, watching and analyzing each step taken. And it is now that Mr. Bush can truly demonstrate what his constitution once stood for.