it depends on which people are cheering. not all the residents of fallujah are insurgents or terrorists. it would be perfectly legitimate for them to want to see one of their own people in charge of security.
we'll know whether Saleh is one of the enemy when and if the insurgents start celebrating in the streets with AK47s, and go unchecked. then we will know we've been had, and at that point, Bush will have to start firing some of these field commanders if indeed they are making these decisions.
AP,
"We suffered a lot in prison but with God's help and that of the people of Fallujah I gained my freedom," he said. "Thanks be to God for the victory of Fallujah." There was no comment from U.S. authorities on the release.
Nazzal, an outspoken opponent of the U.S. occupation, was taken into custody in October. Soon after his arrest, a previously unknown group called the "Hamza Platoon" threatened to attack U.S. troops unless the cleric was freed."
It is pretty clear that the Sunnis feel that they have achieved some kind of victory. At the very least their resistance got the US to cut them a deal. That's a victory for the Sunnis. Now we will see if the anti-US resistance fighters can turn into pro-US police. What is your guess?