Life of Guangzhou - Iraqi Reporter Throws Shoes at Bush in Baghdad

Video frame grab of U.S. President George W. Bush (L) ducking from a shoe during a news conference in Baghdad December 14, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

BAGHDAD -- An Iraqi reporter threw his shoes at visiting U.S. President George W. Bush and called him a "dog" in Arabic during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad on Sunday.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi, reporter of Baghdadiya television jumped and threw his two shoes one by one at the president, who ducked and thus narrowly missed being struck, raising chaos in the hall in Baghdad's heavily fortified green Zone.

"This is a farewell kiss, dog," said Zaidi.

Security personnel tackle a man who threw a shoe at U.S. President George W. Bush during a joint statement with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad, December 14, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Several security members wrestled the man to the floor and then dragged him out of the hall as he was screaming.

However, Bush tried to show himself calm and said "all I can report is it is a size 10."

"I didn't feel the least threatened by it," Bush also said, adding that "it doesn't bother me" before he and Maliki leave the conference room.

An Iraqi man is taken to the ground after throwing his shoes at US President George W. Bush during a joint press conference and signing ceremony with Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki at Maliki's private office during an unannounced visit to Baghdad, Iraq. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

Earlier in the day, Bush arrived Baghdad in an unannounced visit, just 36 days before he leaves office in January.

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