9:44am UK, Thursday October 23, 2003

President Bush has been heckled by two senators opposed to the war in Iraq during a speech to the Australian parliament.

But Mr Bush shrugged off the insults, smiled broadly and won applause by saying: "I love free speech."

One of the hecklers shook Mr Bush's hand after his speech

Both the hecklers, Green Party senators Bob Brown and Kerry Nettle, were ordered out of the chamber but refused to leave.

Mr Brown was the first to interrupt Mr Bush, as the President said people should be happy that Saddam Hussein's regime had been toppled.

But he ended up shaking Mr Bush's hand after the address that was capped by a standing ovation.

There was also a disturbance in the public gallery.

The son of a terrorist suspect being held by US officials in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba was removed.

Australia's federal parliament building in Canberra is renowned for its sometimes raucous debates.