WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush worked the Oval Office telephones Sunday, personally informing U.S. and world leaders about the capture of Saddam Hussein.
The White House said the calls were placed after Bush watched the coalition press conference in Baghdad, in which he was "moved" by the reaction of joy and relief by the Iraqi newsmen there.
The White House said that among those Bush called was British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, Jordanian King Abdullah, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Polish President Aleksander Knasniewski.
Bush also called House Speaker Dennis Hastert and spoke with Democratic minority leader Tom Daschle.
The president was informed by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld of the capture Saturday and planned to meet with his cabinet Sunday afternoon.
"He thinks this is good news for the Iraqi people and is saying so," said spokesman Scott McClellan.
