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Former Iraqi information minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, who earned the nickname "Comical Ali" during the Iraq war, appeared on Arab television Thursday saying he had surrendered to US troops only to be freed.

Former Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al Sahaf speaks during an interview with Abu Dhabi television in Baghdad June 26, 2003. Sahaf, who earned the nickname 'Comical Ali' during the Iraq war, appeared on Arab television saying he had surrendered to US troops only to be freed. [Reuters]

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 measured tones in another clip, referring to the fall of Baghdad to US forces. Al-Arabiya said it would air the interview in full Friday at 3 p.m. EDT.

US military spokesmen were not immediately available for comment.

SPAWNED WEB SITES

The figure of Sahaf spawned a mini industry in the West involving T-shirts, mugs, dolls and videos, and a raft of Web sites poking fun at his rhetorical style.

In the Arab world, Sahaf gained fame during the conflict for his colorful 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.

Former Iraqi Information Minister Mohammad Saed El-Sahar speaks during news conference in Baghdad in this March 22, 2003 file photo.[Reuters]

He branded the British and US leaders "an international gang of criminal bastards," "blood-sucking bastards," ignorant imperialists, losers and fools.

In an interview with Abu Dhabi TV broadcast Thursday evening, 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, adding: "I did my duty up to the last minute."

Some Arabs lampooned him as a symbol of Iraq's state-controlled media while admirers saw him as a nationalist who did do his duty. 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.

"Talk about a guy who can stay on message. If he is alive and can get himself to the United States he can become a millionaire as a spokesman for whomever. He has got a fan club he doesn't even know about. He's kind of one of my heroes," Shields told a news conference.

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