Comical Ali returns with more tall tales

FORMER Iraqi information minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, who earned the nickname "Comical Ali" during the Iraq war, claimed on Arab television yesterday that 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, and for his habit of handling loaded weapons during news conferences.

"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 gray, close-cropped hair.

"A difficult situation has passed by, not for one person but for everyone," he said in another clip, referring to the fall of Baghdad.

US military spokesmen were not immediately available for comment.

Sahaf spawned a mini industry in the West involving T-shirts, mugs, dolls and videos, plus 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", 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. "I did my duty up to the last minute."

He has been the subject of comedy sketches and an Egyptian director has a film in the works about him.

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, Col Guy Shields, counts Sahaf among his heroes.

"Baghdad Bob? I'd like to meet the guy," Shields said of Sahaf.