BAGHDAD // An Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at the former US president George W Bush in a stunning act of protest that made him a hero around the Arab world was released from a Baghdad prison today, his brother said.
Muntadhar al Zeidi left an Iraqi army base where the prison is located, accompanied by several members of parliament, said his brother Uday, who was waiting with other relatives outside the family's home in central Baghdad.
Celebrations erupted outside the home. Women cried out and broke into traditional Iraqi dances.
"I congratulate the Iraqi people and the Muslim world and all free men across the world on the release of Muntadhar," Uday told a crowd of dozens of journalists. "Every time Bush turns a new page in his life he will find Muntadhar's shoes waiting for him."
The Iraqi prime minister Nouri al Maliki was deeply embarrassed by his act of protest. Mr al Maliki was standing beside Mr Bush at a December 14 news conference when the reporter suddenly shot up from his chair had hurled his shoes toward the podium.
Mr Bush was unhurt but had to duck twice to avoid being hit. Mr al Zeidi's brother said the reporter will travel to Greece on Thursday for medical checkups and because he had concerns about his safety.
"He fears for his life," Uday said. He also repeated the family's claims that the journalist was mistreated while in Iraqi custody.
The reporter spent nine months in jail. Mr al Zeidi's protest stirred millions across the Arab world who have been captivated and angered by images of destruction and grieving since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
"This is your farewell kiss, you dog!" he shouted at Mr Bush in Arabic as he hurled the shoes. "This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq," he continued.
For days, the scene was played endlessly on regional and international TV channels.
*AP
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Strait of Hormuz
Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.
The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.
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Chelsea 4
Jorginho (4 pen, 71 pen), Azpilicueta (63), James (74)
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Abraham (2 og), Promes (20). Kepa (35 og), van de Beek (55)
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Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
