Two Iraqis, in jovial mood, stood in front of Iraq's empty diplomatic mission in west London, the scene earlier Wednesday of a break-in by some 20 exiles who defaced portraits of Saddam as they celebrated the seizure of central Baghdad by US marines.

"This is a dream that comes true," said an emotional Bashir Abas, an exile of 20 years. "When I saw the statue of Saddam falling down, I was choked, it's fantastic," he added.

In Edgware Road, a predominantly Muslim area of central London, cafes and restaurants had their television sets switched to 24-hour news channels -- the Arabic-language network Al-Jazeera being the most watched.

The boss of a Lebanese restaurant pointed out that while Iraqi exiles "are happy to get rid of Saddam Hussein... they will be even more happy whan they get rid of the Americans."

And he warned against the television images being beamed from Baghdad.

"They show Iraqis who welcome American troops, and they are so few, what do the other people think?" he asked.

"My heart is broken," said Doraid Aljawharry, a Palestinian refugee.

"I do not support Saddam but the Americans are worse. The arrival of the Americans will not be positive for Iraq. The divisions between Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds will increase," added Aljawharry -- an engineer who came to London two years ago.

Sitting at the same table as Aljawharry, a Jordanian man questioned the coalition's motives.

"This is not a liberation, this is an occupation. Why don't they free Palestine?"

Meanwhile, an Egyptian bookseller said he will not be sorry for Saddam. "Neither will the Iraqis," he added, but said he is worried about Iraq's future.

Mandher Riahi, a 26-year-old Tunisian man, said the Americans "understand nothing about the Arab world and that will rebound against them.

"They have not learned the lessons of September 11. They are the strongest in the world and they impose their law everywhere, while holding Muslims in contempt."

Clearly angry, his voice began to rise while he started making big gestures with his arms.

"When I saw the images of American soldiers in Baghdad, I couldn't believe it. I was disgusted," Riahi said.

As he spoke, two women wearing long black veils walked by.

"This is Iraq's next menace, Islamism. If Iraq truly becomes a democracy, it will be the majority Shiite and Ayatollah Hakim who will take power," he predicted.

SPACE.WIRE