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Libyan group gives shoe-throwing reporter award

The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at US President George W. Bush was given a bravery award on Monday by a Libyan charity group chaired by leader Muammar Gaddafi's daughter.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 19:56 December 15, 2008
  • Gulf News

Tripoli: The Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at US President George W. Bush was given a bravery award on Monday by a Libyan charity group chaired by leader Muammar Gaddafi's daughter.

The charity group Wa Attassimou also urged the Iraqi government to release television reporter Muntazer Al Zaidi after he was detained on Sunday for hurling footwear at Bush and calling the president a "dog" - both severe insults in the Middle East.

"Waatassimou group has taken the decision to give Muntazer Al Zaidi the courage award...because what he did represents a victory for human rights across the world," the group, headed by Aicha Gaddafi, said in a statement.

The group said the Iraqi authorities should honour the journalist for his actions.

Aicha, a lawyer by training, was fiercely opposed to the US invasion of Iraq. She offered to defend Saddam Hussain after his capture by US forces from an underground hideout at the end of 2003.

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