On Thursday, Dana M. Perino, the White House press secretary, said President Bush had urged the Iraqis “not to overreact, because he was not bothered by the incident, although it’s not appropriate for people to throw shoes at a press conference, at any leader.”  Mr. Zaidi, 29, who faces up to seven years in prison if convicted, became a folk hero to many in the Arab world after his actions on Sunday.  As he hurled his shoes at the president — a serious sign of disrespect in the Arab world — he called Mr. Bush a “dog” and blamed him for the Iraqi people’s suffering after the 2003 United States invasion.  Ms. Allami said that during a phone conversation on Wednesday Mr. Zaidi said that the only target of his anger had been President Bush.  Mr. Zaidi said he was in good health, Ms. Allami said. Rumors have been swirling that Mr. Zaidi was seriously injured during a beating by Prime Minister Maliki’s security detail after the shoe-throwing incident.  The lawyer also said the shoes thrown at the president had been destroyed at a laboratory during an examination to determine whether they contained any explosives or hazardous chemicals.  Mr. Majid said the letter from the reporter to the prime minister had included a reference to an interview Mr. Zaidi had conducted with Mr. Maliki three years ago during which Mr. Maliki had shown him hospitality.  “I remember in the summer of 2005, I had an interview with your excellency and you said that your house is mine,” Mr. Majid said, quoting the letter. “Now, I am asking you as a son asks a father to forgive me.”  A version of this article appears in print on , on Page A26 of the New York edition with the headline: Official Says Iraqi Hurler Of Shoes Seeks Pardon. Order Reprints| Today's Paper|Subscribe
In a letter addressed to Iraq’s prime minister, Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, the reporter apologized for the incident, calling it an “ugly action,” an Iraqi government official said.