Beirut- The Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah on Monday defended the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at US president George W Bush on Sunday.

"This is a goodbye kiss on behalf of the widows and orphans and people who have been killed in Iraq," a statement issued by Hezbollah read.

The statement echoed the words of Montasser al-Zaidi, 28, the reporter with the Cairo-based satellite broadcaster al-Baghdadiyia who threw his shoes at Bush in protest. As al-Zaidi threw his shoes, he said "this is a goodbye kiss, dog."

Al-Zaidi's actions "reflect the fact that the Iraqi people and all peoples of the world reject all kinds of injustice, occupation and tyranny," the Hezbollah statement read, adding that it "draws a conclusion to Bush, the symbol of tyranny, and to the end of occupation."

The party condemned the journalist's arrest, and called on local and Arab media to stand in solidarity with a campaign for his release. (dpa)