'Comical Ali' back on airwaves again

Former Iraqi information minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, who earned the nickname "Comical Ali" during the Iraq war, appeared on Arab television on Thursday saying he had surrendered to US troops only to be freed.

Sahaf, 63, became an unlikely media star during the war, winning his stripes as a hero to many in the Arab world while Western audiences gasped and then chuckled at his bravado.

Sahaf, who was not on the US "most wanted" list, gained his unflattering nickname for proclaiming the defeat of US forces even as American troops advanced into Baghdad.

"Via some friends, I went to the Americans ... and there was an interrogation about a number of issues concerning my work," a tired-looking and thin Sahaf said in a clip aired by Dubai-based al-Arabiya. "After the interrogation, I was released."

He appeared without his familiar military fatigues and beret, but with now grey, close-cropped hair.

"A difficult situation has passed by, not for one person but for everyone," he said in measured tones in another clip, referring to the fall of Baghdad to US forces. US Central Command would not confirm his claim that he had been interrogated and freed.

"We don't have him, and there is no information from our people on the ground to back up these reports," a spokeswoman said.

"He is an interesting story teller and we look forward to hearing what he has got to say," she added.

The figure of Sahaf spawned a mini industry in the West involving T-shirts, mugs, dolls and videos, and a raft of websites poking fun at his rhetorical style.

In the Arab world, Sahaf gained fame during the conflict for his colourful use of the Arabic language, using archaic insults to describe the invaders which had commentators throughout the region debating their meaning and poring over dictionaries.

He branded the British and US leaders "an international gang of criminal bastards", "blood-sucking bastards", ignorant imperialists, losers and fools.

In an interview with Abu Dhabi TV, Sahaf defended his press briefings during the conflict.

"The network for collecting and transmitting information was much stronger in the governorates than in Baghdad," he said. "The information was correct, but the interpretations were not," he said, adding: "I did my duty up to the last minute."

Sahaf may be stunned to find that one of his biggest fans is also in Baghdad and works for the US army. Leading US military spokesman in Baghdad, Colonel Guy Shields, counts Sahaf among his heroes.

"Baghdad Bob? I'd like to meet the guy," Shields said of Sahaf. "Talk about a guy who can stay on message. If he can get to the US he can become a millionaire as a spokesman for whomever"

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq