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Last update - 00:41 16/12/2008
Iraqi police detain local reporter who threw shoes at Bush during farewell Baghdad visit
By The Associated Press
Tags: Stephen Hadley, Israel News 

An Iraqi television news reporter threw his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush and called him a "dog" in Arabic, during a press conference in Baghdad on Sunday, U.S. television station ABC has reported.

Muntadar al-Zeidi was being interrogated over whether anybody paid him to throw his shoes at Bush and was being tested for alcohol and drugs, said an Iraqi official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was
not authorized to talk to the media.
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Al-Zeidi's colleagues said the journalist was kidnapped last year by Shiite militias and released after his TV station, Al-Baghdadia, intervened.

The Shiite journalist, who is in his late 20s, was being held at the headquarters of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, said the official. His shoes were being held as evidence, he added.

Al-Baghdadia repeatedly aired pleas to release al-Zeidi on Monday, while showing footage of explosions and playing background music that denounced the U.S. in Iraq.

"We have all been mobilized to work on releasing him, and all the organizations around the world are with us," said Abdel-Hameed al-Sayeh, the manager of Al-Baghdadia in Cairo, where the station is based. "This whole thing is putting the Iraqis and the Americans to a test. Are they going to release him or try him?"

Al-Jazeera television interviewed Saddam Hussein's chief lawyer Khalil al-Dulaimi, who offered to defend al-Zeidi, calling him a hero.

Some Palestinians, whose hopes of independent statehood have withered in the eight-year Bush era, also relished the moment.

"A shoe company in Hebron claimed the attack on Bush and they will give the attacker shoes all his life," runs one joke being exchanged on mobile telephones in the Gaza Strip.

Iraqi security officers and U.S. secret service agents on Sunday leapt at the man within seconds of the incident and dragged him struggling and screaming out of the room where Bush was giving a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

The shoes missed their target about 15 feet away. One sailed over Bush's head as he stood next to Maliki and smacked into the wall behind him. Bush smiled uncomfortably and Maliki looked strained.

"It doesn't bother me," Bush said, urging everyone to calm down as a ruckus broke out in the conference room.

When asked about the incident shortly after, Bush made light of it. "I didn't feel the least threatened by it," he said, adding: "Whoever it
interests - it was a size ten that he threw at me."

In Arab cultures being attacked with shoes is a sign of profound disrespect, as is being compared to a canine.

Bush on Sunday made a farewell visit to Iraq, a place that defines his presidency, just 37 days before he hands the war off to a successor who has pledged to end it.

Air Force One landed at Baghdad International Airport in the afternoon, after a secretive Saturday night departure from Washington and an 11-hour flight. In a sign of modest security gains in this war zone, Bush was welcomed with a formal arrival ceremony - a flourish that was not part of his previous three trips to Iraq.

Bush planned a quick series of meetings with senior Iraqi leaders, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. He and Bush were marking the recent security agreement between the two nations.

Bush's national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, said the agreement was a remarkable document - unique in the Arab world because it was publicly
debated, discussed and adopted by an elected parliament.

Hadley said the trip shows "that we are moving into a different relationship... with Iraqis rightfully exercising greater sovereignty, we in an increasingly subordinate role."

It was Bush's last trip to the war zone before President-elect Barack Obama takes office Jan. 20. Bush's most recent Iraq stop was over 15 months ago, in September 2007.

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      1.   Visiting Baghdad? 17:37  |  Mark Lincoln 14/12/08
      2.   Bush farewell. 19:34  |  sandra chitayat 14/12/08
      3.   Journalist lobs shoes at Bush 21:05  |  Mark Lincoln 14/12/08
      4.   Let`s face it, it`s the only place the bum can go 21:14  |  Jim 14/12/08
      5.   An appropriate gesture 22:08  |  Palestinian Brit 14/12/08
      6.   A true hero in every possible meaning of the word 22:21  |  Magnus K. 14/12/08
      7.   Best Farewell for Bush 22:24  |  Lamboutchy 14/12/08
      8.   The journalist`s aim much better than reported... 22:44  |  BBSNews 14/12/08
      9.   Shoe-Throwers 23:40  |  The Teacher/Instruct 14/12/08
      10.   More than "dog" 23:44  |  Clickfool 14/12/08
      11.   #1; To Mark Lincoln 23:45  |  Steve Dill 14/12/08
      12.   I Bet You..... 23:48  |  SUNDAY 14/12/08
      13.   Good ducking technique 00:27  |  mark hammond 15/12/08
      14.   Smelly Feet 00:31  |  Brazims 15/12/08
      15.   Iraqi throws shoe at Bush 01:10  |  Ron Mepwith 15/12/08
      16.   NO, MARK LINCOLN 01:11  |  Brant 15/12/08
      17.   The exclamation point on Bush`s legacy! 01:34  |  Joe 15/12/08
      18.   The Flower Shop was Closed 01:52  |  Mark of Lewiston 15/12/08
      19.   Throwing Shoes at Bush 02:03  |  John 15/12/08
      20.   Iraqi throws shoe 02:20  |  KT 15/12/08
      21.   Mark of Lewiston - The Iraqi view 02:37  |  Mark Lincoln 15/12/08
      22.   CAN THE SHOES BE BOUGHT ON E-BAY? 03:20  |  Just curious 15/12/08
      23.   # 1 read the article again, mark 03:22  |  eric 15/12/08
      24.   lots of US citizens who would like to throw shoes at Bush!!! 04:00  |  Akiva P 15/12/08
      25.   # 1 read the article again, mark 04:40  |  eric 15/12/08
      26.   Shoes 06:49  |  Richard 15/12/08
      27.   "What, me worry?" 08:38  |  hala 15/12/08
      28.   Shoes At Bush 09:13  |  Avinash 15/12/08
      29.   For Akiva # 18 09:14  |  Clickfool 15/12/08
      30.   Americans can be proud 09:19  |  Shmuel Saitowitz 15/12/08
      31.   Eric, Only US Generals sneaked him to Green Area 09:23  |  Abu Samra Al Maqdisy 15/12/08
      32.   Mighty fine shootin`, by the way 09:26  |  Clickfool 15/12/08
      33.   President Bush. 09:29  |  David Nigel Braham 15/12/08
      34.   Improper 09:55  |  MiddleStanian 15/12/08
      35.   Any news on what subsequently happened to this hero? 10:20  |  Clickfool 15/12/08
      36.   #29 Hey Schmuel 10:36  |  David 15/12/08
      37.   The best news for years ! 10:40  |  Domino 15/12/08
      38.   You have NO idea, David Nigel Braham # 32 10:43  |  Clickfool 15/12/08
      39.   Having soled out Iraq he has at last been brought to heel 11:07  |  alan 15/12/08
      40.   Security didn`t react because they were enjoying it too much! 11:15  |  Michael 15/12/08
      41.   Press Conference Shoe Shuffle 11:33  |  Michael J 15/12/08
      42.   # 31 to abu samra al maqdisy re: scores 11:34  |  eric 15/12/08
      43.   What would Saddam had dont with this new press freedom 11:39  |  Palestinian 15/12/08
      44.   Alot of Americans would like to throw shoes at Obama 11:40  |  Infant-i-Side 15/12/08
      45.   What is the main reason for Americas unpopularity in the world ?? 11:42  |  Swiss (Dino) 15/12/08
      46.   Reporter? 12:13  |  Brod 15/12/08
      47.   Stuff and nonsense Dino 12:44  |  x-ray 15/12/08
      48.   Who Can Blame the Guy? 13:14  |  Baruch Gold 15/12/08
      49.   Brave man, don`t threw shoes at him 13:30  |  Dav 15/12/08
      50.   CONGRATULATIONS!!! 13:32  |  Vickie 15/12/08
      51.   BUSH: THE GUINNESS BOOK OF THE WORLD RECORD 13:38  |  indrajaya 15/12/08
      52.   Not shoes loboto-i-he 13:46  |  Mark Lincoln 15/12/08
      53.   Shoe thrower should be given the noble prize 14:04  |  American 15/12/08
      54.   Mother of All Battles;and Shoes. 14:12  |  khairi janbek 15/12/08
      55.   #45 Swiss.....what you call an "honest broker" 14:14  |  Lynn 15/12/08
      56.   #47 x-ray .......well, that may all be true 14:21  |  Lynn 15/12/08
      57.   A SOFA fetish or something more sinister ? 14:46  |  Samar 15/12/08
      58.   Shoes made in Irak 14:48  |  The Teacher/Instruct 15/12/08
      59.   A SOFA fetish , or something more sinister? 14:49  |  Samar 15/12/08
      60.   these were NO flowers as Expected for LIBERATOR 14:55  |  Alberto 15/12/08
      61.   Now all reporters in front of the President 14:56  |  Zev 15/12/08
      62.   A SOFA shoe fetish , or something more sinister? 15:10  |  Samar 15/12/08
      63.   #30, Shmuel - I suspect the opposite 15:27  |  Dov 15/12/08
      64.   The second insult 15:36  |  Pat 15/12/08
      65.   A SOFA shoe fetish , or something more sinister? ( corrected ) 15:38  |  Samar 15/12/08
      66.   A new Iraqi hero 15:39  |  Mark Lincoln 15/12/08
      67.   Huge security breach! 16:09  |  Avi 15/12/08
      68.   Swiss (Dino) on US loss of credibility & Image 16:28  |  Persian Kitty 15/12/08
      69.   If anyone should be thanking Bush its the Iraqis 16:48  |  Joe Frazier 15/12/08
      70.   Lynn #56 A bully is `never` courageous 16:58  |  Roo 15/12/08
      71.   Joe 69 You`ve got to be kidding me. 17:26  |  Michael 15/12/08
      72.   THIS IS WHY IT WAS SO IMPORTANT TO THE WHOLE WORLD 17:30  |  indrajaya 15/12/08
      73.   Swiss (Dino): Your Right 17:59  |  Brad 15/12/08
      74.   Obama , aids claim. will be closing a lot of aid to Israel 18:02  |  Big Sur 15/12/08
      75.   shoe at bush 18:06  |  rich 15/12/08
      76.   time for all foreign forces to leave Afghanistan and Iraq 18:08  |  Big Sur 15/12/08
      77.   The new sport .... Shoe Chuck and Jive 18:08  |  allang 15/12/08
      78.   It is the least he deserved... 18:14  |  Qamran 15/12/08
      79.   Swiss (Dino) again false allegations 18:20  |  David Israel 15/12/08
      80.   Now they have freedom!!!! 18:44  |  Mike 15/12/08
      81.   No more terrorist reporters 18:47  |  Brod 15/12/08
      82.   David Israel. #78 Nonsense 19:00  |  Roo 15/12/08
      83.   What would have happened to Al-Zeidi if he threw a shoe at Saddam 19:17  |  Genuine Tosefta 15/12/08
      84.   David Israel. #78 Nonsense 19:19  |  Roo 15/12/08
      85.   Reporter charged with showing disrespect 19:19  |  Samar 15/12/08
      86.   Kitty, your President AhmiJihad would have been understanding too 19:27  |  Genuine Tosefta 15/12/08
      87.   To Joe Frazier in Philly 19:42  |  David James Vickery 15/12/08
      88.   What a bunch of anti- "Americans" on this talkback!!! 19:55  |  S 15/12/08
      89.   GenuineTosefta 20:58  |  Persian Kitty 15/12/08
      90.   Roo Are you accusing Arafat and his friends of treason? 21:19  |  David Israel 15/12/08
      91.   Genuine Tosefta 21:37  |  Persian Kitty 15/12/08
      92.   Bush Was Right: Iraq Has `Unconventional` Weapons 21:37  |  Joseph.E 15/12/08
      93.   How much anti-Americanism from the Americans on this talkback! 21:52  |  S 15/12/08
      94.   #56, Lynn, once in a blue moon... 21:59  |  Silvienne 15/12/08
      95.   Iraqi Police detain local reporter who threw shoes at Bush during 21:59  |  Neil 15/12/08
      96.   #32, Clickfool... 22:07  |  Silvienne 15/12/08
      97.   #93, S... 22:10  |  Silvienne 15/12/08
      98.   S - which Americans? 22:18  |  David Israel 15/12/08
      99.   Genuine Tosefta 22:39  |  TonyL 15/12/08
      100.   What I saw on film footage doesn`t seem to jibe with article 22:40  |  shoefly 15/12/08
      101.   Unlike Germany or Japan, this Arab nation has a long way to go 22:41  |  Kevin 15/12/08
      102.   David James Vickery re: Joe Frazier 22:58  |  TonyL 15/12/08
      103.   # 55 Lynn 23:16  |  Swiss (Dino) 15/12/08
      104.   # 68 Persian Kitty 23:29  |  Swiss (Dino) 15/12/08
      105.   Interesting Views from Shoeman 23:31  |  Mark of Lewiston 15/12/08
      106.   I have a dream... 23:53  |  Tofu 15/12/08
      107.   # 47 x-ray (2nd try) 23:58  |  Swiss (Dino) 15/12/08
      108.   Swiss (Dino) speaking of honesty, Check your mail 23:59  |  Gil 15/12/08
      109.   Mark of Lewiston 00:34  |  Persian Kitty 16/12/08
      110.   Swiss Dino 00:49  |  Persian Kitty 16/12/08
      111.   I have collected all my shoes ... 00:54  |  Edith 16/12/08
      112.   Qamran 00:55  |  Persian Kitty 16/12/08
      113.   It is a hoax 00:56  |  Mark Lincoln 16/12/08
      114.   It was a pity all the other journalists ... 00:59  |  Edith 16/12/08
      115.   David Israel - more than one 01:06  |  Mark Lincoln 16/12/08
      116.   # 98 to david israel re: americans 01:07  |  eric 16/12/08
      117.   Bush Baghdad farewell 01:31  |  John Guiel 16/12/08
      118.   shoes thrown at Bush 01:37  |  Bill Parker 16/12/08
      119.   How the shoe attack is playing in Iraq 01:41  |  Mark Lincoln 16/12/08
      120.   posthumous thank you 01:59  |  Capt Ahab 16/12/08
      121.   I think it is a great script! Great farewell for Bush. 02:02  |  Sam 16/12/08
      122.   Dear Kevin, 02:20  |  Frank 16/12/08
      123.   Then they complain 02:36  |  utagawa 16/12/08
      124.   Then they complain 02:38  |  utagawa 16/12/08
      125.   I Don`t Know How That Happened But... 03:04  |  Yosemite 16/12/08
      126.   shmuel saitowitz #30 as an american,is wasn`t very hard to not 03:09  |  terrornator 16/12/08
      127.   hm,seems like most people in here forget how saddam treated most 03:16  |  terrornator 16/12/08
      128.   michael #71 "remember all those US plans for permanent bases" 03:37  |  terrornator 16/12/08
      129.   Well at least the cops and SS had fun 04:10  |  Mark Lincoln 16/12/08
      130.   Mark Lincoln 04:47  |  David Israel 16/12/08
      131.   1~ Mark Lincoln Arabs never appreciate their friends. 04:48  |  Akram Zekaria 16/12/08
      132.   excuse me #51;what about the illegal war suddam insane brought on 05:06  |  glenna 16/12/08
      133.   #111, Edith, I should like to add my own shoes... 05:20  |  Silvienne 16/12/08
      134.   That guy should be pitching for the Yankees 05:29  |  Joe Frazier 16/12/08
      135.   Mark Lincoln 05:35  |  TonyL 16/12/08
      136.   Michael 71 what they had before was better? 05:37  |  Joe Frazier 16/12/08
      137.   Guy gets no luck 05:41  |  glen 16/12/08
      138.   Disgusting 05:46  |  American 16/12/08
      139.   I hope this is an isolated incident 05:59  |  jane 16/12/08
      140.   Al-Zeidi should be tortured and stoned like saddam 06:03  |  John 16/12/08
      141.   DISGUSTING 06:07  |  jo 16/12/08
      142.   A LONG WAY TO GO A LOT TO LEARN 06:13  |  JEFF 16/12/08
      143.   Throw shoes at olmert 06:17  |  Mark g 16/12/08
      144.   size 20 shoe 08:01  |  Capt Ahab 16/12/08
      145.   109 Persian Kitty 08:11  |  Mark of Lewiston 16/12/08
      146.   shoes at Bush 08:49  |  MOHAMED TAKI 16/12/08
      147.   For Mark Lincoln # 119 09:09  |  Clickfool 16/12/08
      148.   #97 Silvienne - British-Americans? 09:22  |  S 16/12/08
      149.   Unselfish heroic action. 09:42  |  Ben 16/12/08
      150.   BTW David Israel 09:51  |  Ben 16/12/08
      151.   9 months into his administration came 9/11 10:23  |  eric 16/12/08
      152.   The gullible Iraqis are happy with 10:28  |  Gregor 16/12/08
      153.   No, David Israel 11:11  |  Roo 16/12/08
      154.   Gregor- what oil supply? 11:59  |  Roo 16/12/08
      155.   eric tsk tsk..from one windbag to another! 12:47  |  Roo 16/12/08
      156.   The Guy Throws Like a Girl! 13:00  |  FOX 16/12/08
      157.   153~ Roo. This conflict dosen`t need an `honest broker". 13:17  |  Akram Zekaria 16/12/08
      158.   Akram Zekaria 15:10  |  Roo 16/12/08
      159.   Edith 15:12  |  The Teacher/Instrucd 16/12/08
      160.   Ben - I don`t hate anyone 16:05  |  David Israel 16/12/08
      161.   Talkbackers & Hyenas 16:13  |  The Teacher/Instruct 16/12/08
      162.   #151 Eric 16:17  |  janet 16/12/08
      163.   Jane #139 16:40  |  Brod 16/12/08
      164.   158/Roo Typical wishful thinking & no room left for Honest Broker 18:10  |  Akram Zekaria 16/12/08
      165.   158/Roo Typical wishful thinking & no room left for Honest Broker 03:22  |  Akram Zekaria 17/12/08
      166.   to janet and roo 07:16  |  eric 17/12/08
      167.   #152 Gregor 10:02  |  janet 17/12/08
      168.   Perfect punishment for Bush 16:44  |  Mayon 18/12/08
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