U.N Secretary-General Kofi Annan and leaders of other large political groups expressed alarm at violence over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. A statement was issued Tuesday through the United Nations on behalf of Annan, Organization of the Islamic Conference Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union Javier Solana. The leaders said they support free speech but understand that freedom of the press "entails responsibility and discretion and should respected the beliefs and tenets of all religions." A Dutch newspaper last fall published cartoons depicting Mohammed. Muslim protests over the caricatures grew slowly and became violent in recent days after several other European newspapers reprinted the cartoons. "The anguish in the Muslim world at the publication of these offensive caricatures is shared by all individuals and communities who recognize the sensitivity of deeply held religious belief," the leaders said. The release later read: "But we also believe the recent violent acts surpass the limits of peaceful protest.... Aggression against life and property can only damage the image of a peaceful Islam." © Copyright 2006 by United Press International

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