The Dictator launches


German Chancellor Angela Merkel and News Corp head Rupert Murdoch were among the targets of 40-year-old British comic Sacha Baron Cohen's satirical and sometimes offensive humor last Thursday, at the world premiere of his political spoof The Dictator.

Donning full military regalia and a false beard, and brandishing a replica golden pistol, he swept up the London red carpet standing in a bright orange Lamborghini,  with one wheel clamped and being carried on a tow truck.

Baron Cohen, in character as the freedom-hating North African dictator General Aladeen from the fictional Republic of Wadiya, was also surrounded by glamorous, uniformed female "body guards" in short skirts.

"Now while I am here, I would like to grant political asylum to (Rupert) Murdoch," he declared to reporters and fans along the red carpet. "We also have mobile phone hacking in Wadiya. Everyone who has a phone, we hack off their hands."

On the subject of gay marriage, in the headlines this week after US President Barack Obama publicly supported same-sex marriage, Baron Cohen said: "I am very happy because Monday Nicholas Clegg and David Cameron renewed their vows and now they are the world's most famous gay couple."