European Union says it regrets Muslims offended by cartoons

The European Union said it regretted Muslims had found cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad offensive but denounced violence directed against EU citizens in reprisal attacks over the images.

The cartoons first published last year in a Danish newspaper and since reprinted in other European papers sparked worldwide protests by Muslims who believe it is blasphemous to depict the Prophet. Dozens have died in violence related to the protests from Africa to Asia.

Foreign ministers meeting in Brussels issued a statement regretting "that these cartoons were considered offensive and distressing by Muslims across the world".

It added that the EU "strongly condemns all violent acts and threats against citizens and property of the European Union, of its member states as well as of other countries".

Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller told a news briefing on Monday after talks with EU counterparts in Brussels he hoped to move beyond the crisis.

"It is important that we draw a line, that we move forward. It is good for Denmark that the EU Council has strongly condemned the violence," he said of attacks on Danish and other EU missions in a number of Muslim countries.

Diplomats said the decision to issue regrets came despite reluctance from countries such as the Netherlands.

They also noted the statement did not go as far as one issued at the weekend by the United Nations, the heads of the Arab League states, and the 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

That statement noted members "deeply" regretted the offence caused by the caricatures.

Denmark has declined to apologise on behalf of the newspaper which originally printed the cartoons. But it has sought to calm Muslim anger by saying it will hold a religious conference, make a donation to a UN agency fighting prejudice and stage a Muslim cultural exhibition.

Its ambassador to Syria was due to return to Damascus, almost three weeks after Muslims set fire to the embassy to protest against the cartoons.