Amman- Scores of Jordanian trade unionists and opposition party leaders staged a sit-in Saturday in front of the Professional Associations Complex in support of the Iraqi reporter who recently hurled his shoes at US President George W Bush during a press conference in Baghdad.

Participants shouted slogans against the US-led invasion of Iraq and raised a portrait of reporter Montazer al-Zaidi with a caption reading "Montazer, you acted on behalf of the nation."

They also carried a portrait of Bush with an old shoe fixed to it before setting it afire.

Wasfi al-Rashdan, chairman of the Professional Associations Council, delivered a speech labeling al-Zaidi's pelting of Bush with a pair of shoes as a "heroic action" and called for his "immediate release."

"Al-Zaidi has communicated a strong message to the effect that Iraq will emerge triumphant and the cowboys will return home defeated," al-Rashdan said.

"The Almighty has now punished the criminal Bush for ordering his gang in Baghdad to execute a hero like Saddam Hussein in defiance of the sentiments of all Arabs and Muslims," he added.

The demonstration by Jordanian trade unions came three days after the lower house of parliament observed a minute's silence in support of al-Zaidi.

Al-Zaidi's trial began Wednesday and the Iraqi government said it would not respond to his request for a pardon. He has been charged with attacking the head of a foreign state. He faces between five and 15 years in prison. (dpa)