Iranian cleric Jannati dubs Muntazer act 'shoe intifada'

TEHRAN/LONDON (Agencies) " The Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at President George W Bush has won some hearts in neighbouring Iran, where one cleric dubbed the act "the shoe intifada (rebellion)."
Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati - leading Friday prayers in Tehran - hailed journalist Muntazear al-Zaidi's now-famous fling last Sunday, when Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki were holding a news conference in Baghdad.
His remarks - reported by Iran's state-run Islamic Republic News Agency - reflect the support many Middle East people have shown for al-Zaidi, an Iraqi correspondent for Egypt-based Al-Baghdadia TV.
"The shoe intifada in Iraq should not be overlooked easily," he said. "Well done to the Iraqi journalist for throwing the shoes at the US President."
Speaking to namazis at Tehran University, Jannati labelled the shoes "more valuable than crowns, medals and signs" and believes they should be place in an Iraqi museum.
Jannati said the US was trapped in a quagmire in Iraq and didn't know what to do about it.
"The shoe hurling by the Iraqi journalist had many messages which the world received and the Iraqi people, too, held demonstrations afterwards. People should support the Iraqi journalist," said Jannati, who believes shoes should be regular props in the anti-US demonstrations in Iran and Iraq.
In the Indian capital of New Delhi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister told reporters that the incident points to frustration in the elite levels of society with Bush's policies.
The Minister, Muhammad Mehdi Akhondzadeh, said it was similar sentiments that led Americans to elect Barack Obama president.
In London, protesters staged a shoe protest outside the US Embassy on Friday, demanding the release of the Iraqi journalist held after throwing his footwear at US President George W Bush.
Demonstrators voiced support for the "courageous" al-Zaidi, who has been in custody in Baghdad since Sunday's dramatic shoe protest which made him an instant sensation in the Arab world. Representatives of a group called Media Workers Against The War delivered a letter to the US Embassy urging authorities to "guarantee his safe treatment and affect his immediate release from custody."
"We as journalists believe that our colleague Muntazer al-Zaidi... is guilty of nothing but expressing Iraqis' legitimate and overwhelming opposition to the US-led occupation of their country," it said. Another protester, Sabah Jawad of Iraqi Democrats Against The Occupation, said: "This guy was courageous. He didn't think about the consequences of his actions.
"He went there fully aware that this might be an implication for him and for his safety. His life is in threat but he represented the Iraqi people by this action. We are demanding his immediate and unconditional release."
Scotland Yard said there were about 40 protesters at the demo.