Americans celebrate capture of 'big fish'

"We've spent a lot of time, a lot of money, and a lot of people have died for the cause. So to finally get the big fish, the big person, it's good for everybody," said Kevin Culley in New York.

Americans began to learn of the success of "Operation Red Dawn" just before sunrise in the United States, as breathless television anchors, some still unshaven, rushed to their studios to report on a major coup for the US military and President Bush.

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As the surprise news sank in that the former Iraq leader who had been on the run for eight months was in US custody, Americans expressed joy and satisfaction, while hoping it would speed the return of troops.

"I think it'll help the situation and a lot of our people over there will stop getting killed and they can come home finally, probably," said Charles Felton in a snowy Times Square.

Guerrilla attacks have killed nearly 200 American soldiers since Bush declared major combat over on May 1.