DHAKA: Donald Trump has been mocked by his Republican rivals at a televised debate in Iowa, after quitting the event in a row with Fox News.

He decided to withdraw after the broadcaster refused to drop host Megyn Kelly, whom Trump accused of bias, reports the BBC.

The debate began with his rival Senator Ted Cruz marking his absence by throwing mock insults at the others.

The billionaire businessman held a charity rally nearby, in honour of the country's war veterans.

But his absence on the stage in Des Moines, where seven of his rivals in the race to be Republican presidential nominee, was keenly felt.

Cruz addressed it with humour in the opening minutes of the debate.

"I'm a maniac and everyone on this stage is stupid, fat and ugly, and Ben [Carson], you're a terrible surgeon," he said, doing an impression of his absent rival.

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush also poked fun at the billionaire businessman, who has often tormented Bush in previous debates.

"I kind of miss Donald Trump; he was a teddy bear to me," he said with smile.

BDST: 0958 HRS, JAN 29, 2016
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