Iraq/Afghanistan

Bush visits Afghanistan after ducking shoes in Iraq

Article published on the 2008-12-15 Latest update 2008-12-15 16:12 TU

George W. Bush speaks to U.S. troops in Baghdad on Sunday
(Photo: Reuters)

US President George W Bush on Monday paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan after speaking to politicians and soldiers in Iraq on Sunday. While in Iraq, at a press conference an Iraqi journalist threw two shoes at Bush, who ducked.

Bush landed near the Afghan capital, Kabul, early on Monday and addressed US troops before continuing to the capital to meet President Hamid Karzai.

Describing the US-led coalition's fight against militants in Afghanistan as an "ideological struggle", Bush said it was "going to be a long struggle", but said that conditions were "unquestionably" better in Afghanistan today than in 2001.

President Karzai said it was not the time to talk about pulling out foreign troops. The top commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan, has requested an extra 20,000 US soldiers at the end of what has been the worst year for the forces since the fall of the Taliban.

President's Bush visit to Iraq Sunday was marked when an Iraqi journalist threw one, then a second shoe at him during a press conference.  Both projectiles missed their target.

U.S. President George W. Bush (L) ducks after a man threw a shoe at him during a joint statement with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (R) in Baghdad on Sunday.
(Photo: Reuters)

The Iraqi journalist shouted "It's the farewell kiss" before he was removed from the room. Muntazer al-Zaidi works for Al-Baghdadia television. On Monday the company requested the release of the journalist, saying that any measures against him would be "considered the acts of a dictatorial regime".

Zaidi could be charged with insulting a visiting head of state, which carries a minimum of two years in prison.

The Iraqi government has criticised him, calling the shoe-throwing "shameful".