Iraqi speaker resigns over shoe incident

BAGHDAD, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud Mashhadani resigned Wednesday as lawmakers argued the fate of the journalist who threw shoes at U.S. President George Bush.

Lawmakers were meeting Wednesday to discuss the U.S. Status of Forces Agreement but instead erupted in arguments over whether Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi should be released from custody.

Zaidi, a journalist with the al-Baghdadiya television station, threw two shoes at Bush, saying it was a "farewell kiss" to the American "dog." Media reports Tuesday said Zaidi was beaten severely while in detention.

The Iranian Press TV said Mashhadani was reprimanded for embarrassing Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and subsequently offered to resign.

"I have no honor leading this Parliament, and I announce my resignation," the speaker said.

There was no statement from Baghdad to indicate whether the announcement was merely symbolic, Press TV said.