Iraq shoe thrower sentence to end

Baghdad, 14 Sept-(ANA)-The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at former US President George W Bush during a news conference is due to reach the end of his prison sentence.

Muntadar al-Zaidi, whose act propelled him to the status of hero in the Arab world, is expected to be released from prison shortly.

Mr Zaidi, who called Mr Bush "a dog", was convicted of assault in March.

His family is reported to be preparing a hero's welcome if he leaves prison, as expected, on Monday.

Mr Zaidi's three-year prison sentence was reduced to one because he had a clean record. He is due to be released three months early for good behaviour.

His family is reportedly planning to meet him at the gates of the Baghdad detention centre and then hold a party for him.

His brother says Mr Zaidi was beaten while in prison, suffering a broken arm, broken ribs and internal bleeding. Those allegations have been rejected by the Iraqi military.

The previously little-known journalist from the private Cairo-based al-Baghdadia TV has become a hero to many, not just in Iraq but across the Arab world, for what some saw as a fitting send-off for a deeply unpopular US president.

As he flung the shoes, Mr Zaidi shouted: "This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, dog. This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

His action was celebrated in internet games and on T-shirts and some people have offered him their daughters in marriage.

Mr Zaidi, who lives in Baghdad, has worked for al-Baghdadia for three years.

A senior official at the channel said his salary had continued to be paid during his prison term and that a home had been bought for him in the capital.

In his work as a reporter, Mr Zaidi was abducted by insurgents and twice held for questioning by US forces in Iraq. (ANA)

FA/ANA/14 September 2009---