Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush to be freed

A lawyer for the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at former President George W. Bush says a judge has signed the necessary papers for his release, which he expects to come at any moment.

Muntadhar al-Zeidi was to have been freed Monday, but that was held up because of delays processing paperwork.

Attorney Karim al-Shujairi said Tuesday that all the necessary papers have been signed, clearing the way for his release after nine months.

Al-Zeidi's relatives gathered at the family's Baghdad home in anticipation.

Al-Zeidi, a little-known reporter for a small Iraqi TV station, gained instant hero status in the Arab world last December when he hurled his shoes at Bush as he stood next to Iraq's prime minister at a Baghdad news conference.