Hamas sets terms for calming anger over cartoons

Hamas8217; political chief laid out conditions today under which it would work to calm anger in 8216;8216;the Muslim street8217;8217; o...

Hamas8217; political chief laid out conditions today under which it would work to calm anger in 8216;8216;the Muslim street8217;8217; over cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad published in western media.

Khaled Meshaal, speaking on French radio, said Hamas would try to soothe the outrage only if western governments apologise to Muslims and begin drafting laws and other measures to make sure such 8216;8216;attacks8217;8217; will not be printed again. 8216;8216;We8217;ve said that we, Hamas, were ready to play a role in calming the Muslim street on condition that there are two rapid initiatives,8217;8217; he told rfi radio.

Meshaal pointed to laws in some western countries that forbid denying the Holocaust. 8216;8216;So a law is needed to prevent attacking not only the Prophet Muhammad but all prophets and all religions,8217;8217; he said.

Meanwhile the editor of a small Christian newspaper in Norway apologised today for offending Muslims by reprinting the caricatures. Magazinet editor Vebjoern Selbekk said he regretted publishing the cartoons on January 10 because he had not foreseen the pain and anger they would cause among Muslims.

Selvik made his apology at a news conference, where he appeared with the leader of the Islamic Council in Norway, Mohammed Hamdan, and Norwegian Labour Minister Bjarne Haakon Hanssen.

Hamdan stressed that Islam values forgiveness and that Selvik, who has received scores of death threats, was now under his protection.

Meanwhile, Flemming Rose, Jyllands-Posten8217;s Culture Editor who commissioned the cartoons has been sent on holiday after suggesting he would print Iranian cartoons of the Holocaust.

Story continues below this ad

8216;8216;The editors have told Flemming Rose to take a vacation because no one can understand the kind of pressure he has been under,8217;8217; Jyllands-Posten editor Carsten Juste told Berlingske Tidende.

Rose told CNN on Wednesday he would consider publishing proposed Iranian cartoons of the Holocaust.