BAGHDAD - AN IRAQI television station on Monday demanded the immediate release of one of its journalists who caused a furore when he hurled shoes at visiting US President George W. Bush.

Muntazer Al-Zaidi jumped up as Mr Bush was holding a press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki on Sunday, shouted 'It is the farewell kiss, you dog' and threw two shoes at the US leader.

Mr Bush ducked and the first shoe hit the American and Iraqi flags behind the two leaders, while the second was off target.

An Iraqi government official says Mr Muntazer is being held for questioning by Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki's guards and is being tested for alcohol and drugs.

The official tells The Associated Press that Mr Muntazer is being interrogated over whether anybody paid him to throw his shoes at Mr Bush during a press conference on Sunday.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because he was not authorized to talk to media.

Mr Muntazer, a reporter with the Al-Baghdadia channel which broadcasts from Cairo, was immediately wrestled to the ground by security guards and frogmarched from the room.

'Al-Baghdadia television demands that the Iraqi authorities immediately release their stringer Muntadhar Al-Zaidi, in line with the democracy and freedom of expression that the American authorities promised the Iraqi people,' it said in a statement.

In Cairo, Muzhir Al-Khafaji, programming director for the television channel, described Mr Muntazer as a 'proud Arab and an open-minded man.' 'We fear for his safety,' he added. -- AP, AFP

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