Hamas Among Those To Condemn Berg's Execution

From several corners of the Arab world, there's condemnation of the videotaped beheading of an American in Iraq.

Two Islamic militant groups, Hezbollah and Hamas, issued strongly worded denunciations. Both Hezbollah and Hamas, deemed terrorist organizations by the U.S. government, said the beheading was appalling and un-Islamic.

Arab governments and Islamic militant groups initially kept silent about the killing even though they have repeatedly condemned the abuse of Iraqi prisoners.

The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday became the first Arab government to criticize the slaying of Nick Berg, 26, of West Chester, Pa. The CIA says it believes the man seen on the tape carrying out the execution is Jordanian-born militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a lieutenant of Osama bin Laden.

Saudi Arabia and Jordan followed suit in condemning the execution of Berg.

Jordan's former information minister wrote, "We have to be ashamed as Arabs." Dubai's English language Gulf News said it served no purpose other than "brutish bloodlust."

However, an Egyptian opposition paper defended the killing, saying the killers were driven by the abuse of Iraqi prisoners.