Iran protests Jesus and Mary cartoons

Iran protests Jesus and Mary cartoons

The Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan yesterday protested the publication of cartoons of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary by an Azerbaijani newspaper. The Yeni Khabar newspaper published the cartoons in retaliation for the publication of the Prophet caricatures. While condemning caricatures of the Prophet, the Iranian Embassy also denounced the Azerbaijani publication as "rude and immoral insults" motivated by either ignorance or a desire to provoke discord between Muslims and Christians.

'No proof against Syria'

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he has seen no evidence to back up US claims that Syria and Iran fuelled the demonstrations sparked by the cartoons. But Annan said the two Middle Eastern nations bore the same responsibilities shouldered by other nations and should have prevented rioters from attacking foreign diplomatic missions.

Apology needed

The Danish Government should offer an official apology to Muslims over "irresponsible" cartoons to avoid a clash of civilisations, Syria's ambassador to London Sami Khiyami said.

Denmark's foreign minister Per Stig Moeller said on Monday a government apology for the drawings printed in a Danish newspaper would be pointless.

Troops must pull out

Basra's provincial council yesterday demanded the withdrawal of Denmark's 530-member military contingent from southern Iraq unless the Danish Government apologises for the publication of the caricatures.