Washington, Dec 29 : First Lady Laura Bush has said that she was offended by the recent `assault' on her husband, who had two shoes thrown at him during a recent visit to Iraq, but also believes that the assault shows that Iraqis feel a lot freer than they did before.

Laura Bush said she thinks the reporter who threw his shoes at her husband while he was in Iraq assaulted her husband, but felt that the act signified freedom that Iraqis never had under Saddam Hussein.

"I know that if Saddam Hussein had been there the man wouldn''t have been released, and he probably would''ve been executed," Fox News quoted Laura, as saying.

The Iraqi journalist, who was arrested following the Dec. 14 incident, has been in custody since.

Laura Bush also noted that President Bush is a "natural athlete" as demonstrated by his ability to dodge the shoes. (ANI)