Wasn't it suspected that al-Zarqawi was out of step with bin Laden with the crude killings of hostages, etc? His death may have little effect at all. Whereas much of the mayhem is blamed on "insurgents", much is actually caused by a war between Sunni and Shiite Iraqis so Zarqawi's death is unlikely to have much overall impact. If the Iraqis wanted the USA and UK out before, now a "headline" menace has been killed, logically even more Iraqis will now want the USA and the UK out. D Murray, Eastbourne

It's very well that Al-Zarqawi was finally killed but others will take over his unholy mission. The problem in Iraq now is not only with al-Qaeda and Sadamist operatives but with all the religious parties and tendencies who are turning Iraq into a living hell. We Iraqis have lost all chance of progress and development. Medieval thoughts and ignorant imams are in control of everyday life. The democracy promised turned to backward theocracy, holding everybody at gun point. Who do you think is carrying out the daily order of liquidating Iraqi intelligentsia and professionals? False freedom and false democracy is being put forward in front of the world. What kind of freedom is it when you cannot express your opinion on anything connected with the religious factions of all shades, when guns and killing are the only means they understand. They are robbing the country of its wealth and its human resources in the name of God and freedom. We have to flee the country in order to live and work. Look at all the killing in Baghdad, Basra and Mosul of innocent people, at the way women are treated and harassed. People are killed for wearing short slacks or jeans. Women cannot walk in the streets if not veiled and escorted by a male relative. Is this democracy and freedom? Is this the way to rebuild iraq? All these policies are carried out with the knowledge and approval of the dominant political religious parties, whether Shiites or Sunnis. Claims to the contrary are only propaganda to win the sympathy of the free world. Zuhair al-Obaidy, Baghdad, Iraq

Here we go again.... the neocons see the end of the tunnel after the departure of another monster who could have been another Osama, funded and trained by the CIA on the instructions of Ronald Reagan. Remember him anyone? All I see is another dead mother and child, victims of an assassination by a another vicious killer - George Bush. If this debacle ever ends, Mr Bush should be forced look at the photos of each of tens of thousands of dead, battered children's bodies that he and he alone is responsible for. There is no such thing as "cheap oil" Mr Bush. Jeff Larsen, Christchurch, New Zealand

One down, a thousand to go. Kim Righetti, Upland, California

If al-Zarqawi was real than I am relieved that the monster is no more. However, if he was fake, as a lot of Arabs suspect, then God help us all. A hoax is no way to win against extremism. Iraq defeat for the US will be terrible for everyone, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Al-Qaeda must not be allowed victory in Iraq. I, as a Muslim, want to see a democratic, tolerant and unified Iraq. I believe that can only be achieved by serious effort towards rebuilding the war-torn country. Governments needs to put into effect a Marshall Plan for Iraq as soon as possible. Z. Hussain, Rochdale

Another bogeyman dead and yet we are still afraid to look under the bed. Who is winning this "war"? Christopher Powell, London

Until our allied forces, the UK/US governments and the media address the frequently unmentioned involvement of foreign governments who have been directly or indirectly supporting the insurgency in Iraq, the death of al-Zarqawi will make little difference. D. S. A. Murray, London

Al-Zarqawi was no different to some of the other recent racist and bigoted political leaders we have seen in modern times. Osama bin Laden is the same. These people have a sheer inability to let Islam live alongside other faiths. Their particular ideology of Islamic superiority and conversion is perhaps as racist as the BNP, and that of the Nation of Islam. Will the death of this man make a difference? Yes, I am sure it will, but there will be others to take his place. All these political leaders appear to complicate the fact that we are one global world with personal leadership. They might pick up some text of interest in the Gita. Rajendra Joshi, Leicester

Every decent person will greet the death of al-Zarqawi with relief if not outright joy. He represented the unselectively brutal extreme of the religiously-inspired al-Qaeda strain of the insurgency. But it would be a major folly to imagine that his demise means the insurgency will come to an end soon. Only an arrangement that holds Iraqis together while seeking at the same time to bring a swift end to the occupation will see support for the insurgency begin to fade. Shathani Batoloki, Gaborone, Botswana

I don't think this will change anything. And what will happen if the insurgency continues - despite this...."trophy"? Hopefully there's a plan B, but I doubt it. Tord Persson, Gavle, Sweden

The most important thing about the killing of al-Zarqawi is that he was betrayed by a fellow member of al-Qaeda. They cannot now trust one another and are more likely to kill one another as suspected traitors. That can only be a good thing. Michael Patek, Brighton

I believe that the death of al-Zarqawi is a benefit to some extent, but now that their leader is gone, the Iraqi insurgency will begin rapidly striking out. This may also lead to more insurgents being caught and killed, but it also means that many more people and soldiers will die. Joshua Helm, Marysville, Washington

Hopefully this will mark the beginning of a new era of peace. Incidently, why the celebration over death? Capturing him would have been more satisfying. The way that assasination has been accepted as good, since 9/11 is quite disturbing. Alan Kennedy, Paisley