Iraqis in exile:
What do they hope for?

Outside Iraq, there's one group of people who are watching developments in the country with much anxiety.

Channel NewsAsia takes a look at what concerns these Iraqis in exile.

Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein has reportedly built lavish palaces non-stop since 1991.

In sharp contrast to his display of wealth, are his people, who are left to suffer the country's sad fate.

According to an independent economic intelligence group, most of Iraq's 25 million inhabitants are poor and malnourished.

11 years of economic sanctions have left the Iraqi people lacking in basic needs such as clean water and medicine.

The country's economy too is in shambles.

Despite oil reserves worth more than US$3 trillion, its Gross Domestic Product when last monitored internationally shrank 6 percent .

The country's inflation rate is at 50 percent, a huge figure but still, an improvement from the 100 percent rate six years ago.

In spite of the poverty and strain, most Iraqis continue to praise their leader.

Those who can, escape the tragic situation in their country.

Four million Iraqis live abroad, one of them is Haydar-al-Hamdani.

Washington-based Haydar may be far away from the troubles of his country, but he empathises strongly with what his native land is going through.

The Iraqi exile was among thousands of students who tried to depose Saddam after
his defeat at the hands of the Americans in 1991.

Hayder al-Hamdani said, "We didn't think Saddam Hussein would stay, would remain in power for that long, because we heard the news and we heard everyone talking about how Saddam is going to gall, within months, but actually that didn't happen."

Iraqi exiles are hoping what didn't happen then would happen now.

Haydar al-Hamdani added, "My family, like everybody else, are scared right now because I lived in Iraq in 1991 when the bombs start falling on Baghdad and the south of the country, so they are under so much pressure, they try to you know, food, they get food, but my family is more fortunate than other families because you know I can help them from here".