Ali well enough for kebab

Baghdad bombing victim Ali Ismaeel Abbas was feeling well enough to request one of his favourite dishes - a spicy shish kebab.

The 12-year-old orphan asked for a special serving of grilled lamb as he recovered from his first round of life-saving surgery.

Ali lost both arms and suffered horrific burns after an allied bombing raid on the Iraqi capital that also killed his parents and most of his family.

Plastic surgeon Dr Imad Najada at the Saud A Albabtain Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery in Kuwait City said the seriously-ill youngster was doing well after an operation.

"He's still stable. He's had a blood transfusion and he's in good shape. He's awake and speaking.

"He asked to have Iraqi food - a shish kebab. People from the Ministry of Health went to get it for him from the restaurant outside the hospital.

"He's eating now and we want to build him up and increase his calories and his protein intake."

Dr Najada said he did not yet know whether Ali had been able to polish off all of the culinary treat.

Buit he added: "We're trying to provide him with a TV. He said for 20 days he hasn't watched TV.".

Ali's plight touched millions of people around the world and thousands of pounds have been raised for his care.

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