Baghdad, September 11: Iraqi TV reporter Montazer al-Zaidi, who famously threw his shoes at US President George W Bush, was Friday promised many gifts and a warm welcome when he is released next week.
Al-Zaidi, a 30-year-old reporter for the Cairo-based Baghdadia channel, is expected to receive a hero’s welcome across the Arab world on Monday – after nine months in prison.
Qatar’s emir promised to give him a golden horse, Libyan leader Moammer Gaddafi said he will give him the highest Libyan Medal of honour and others offered him a sports car, the Baghdadia website reported.
He has been offered money, marriages and even a career in politics, but his colleagues at Baghdadia TV, which has continued to pay Zaidi’s salary during his time in jail, believes he will return to work there when comes out of jail.
“As far as I know, from what he has told me – and I speak to him weekly – he will come back to work for Baghdadia,” said Abdul-Hamid al-Saeh, manager of the Cairo- based station
However, al-Zaidi’s family are afraid the conviction against him might prevent him from returning to journalism.
During a Baghdad press conference in December Bush held with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the reporter shouted in Arabic: “This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqis, dog,” while throwing his shoes at Bush.
Although his shoes narrowly missed the president, al-Zaidi has turned into an instant sensation in the region.
Al-Zaidi had several marriage offers while in prison many families throughout the region.
—–Agencies