IRNA reporters urge al-Zeidi's release

Tehran, Dec 23, IRNA - Reporters of the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Tuesday called for release of their Iraqi counterpart, Muntader al-Zeidi, who threw his shoes at US President George W. Bush in protest at deaths of several hundred thousands innocent Iraqi youth women and children since US attack on Iraq in 2003.

In a letter to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, the IRNA
journalists called on the Iraqi government to help release the brave
and committed Iraqi reporter as soon as possible.

The letter was sent to al-Maliki on the threshold of his visit to the
Islamic Republic. Al-Maliki is to visit Iran next week.

Al-Zeidi threw his shoes at President Bush during his joint press
conference with al-Maliki in Baghdad last Sunday.

Reporter of al-Baqdadiyya local TV, made the move in protest to Bush's
unreal comments on improvement of living standards in Iraq as a result
of the US-led invasion, and to lingering occupation of Iraq by US
troops.