February 10, 2006

CONDEMNATIONS OF DANISH CARICATURES DEPICTING PROPHET MUHAMMAD PEACE BE UPON HIM RAMP WORLDWIDE. THE EU CONSIDERS THE PUBLICATION AS "FOOLISHNESS AND INDISCRETION." THE VATICAN: EUROPE SHOULD NOT ACCEPT THE PRACTICE OF MOCKING RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS. AMERICAN AND BRITISH MEDIA ABSTAIN FROM PUBLISHING THE CARICATURES. THE DANISH LEADERSHIP REFUSES TO APOLOGIZE. CONDEMNATION OF VIOLENCE IN BEIRUT AND DAMASCUS AND SYRIA OFFERS ITS APOLOGIES. SAAD AL-HARIRI: WHAT HAPPENED IN BEIRUT REPRESENTS THE GREATEST HARM TO MUSLIMS. In an interview with Al-Arabiya TV, the Danish Prime Minister stressed the value he attached to the close relationship based on mutual respect and friendship between Denmark and the Muslim world. He recognized the important historic contribution that the Arab civilization has made to the world civilization. He underlined that the Danish people had no intention to offend Muslims and that he was deeply distressed that many Muslims had seen the drawings in a Danish newspaper as a defamation of the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him. He said that this had not been the intention of the newspaper and hoped that the apology by the newspaper for the offence caused by the drawings would contribute to solving the problem. The Prime Minister compared the situation with neighbours with a common problem, and said that he would do his utmost to solve that problem and that he hoped that the Muslim world would do the same. We are neighbours and we should live together in peace and harmony. He pointed out that everybody has a responsibility to demonstrate respect for religious feelings and that he personally would never depict religious figures in a way that could hurt other people's feelings. He furthermore underlined his appreciation of the valuable contribution made by the big Muslim community in Denmark to the Danish society. It was a crucial element in the Danish policy of integration to do the utmost to ensure the best possible facilities for minority groups in Denmark. The Danish society is based on a clear principle of religious freedom, which means that Muslims as well as members of other religious communities are free to exercise their religion. Denmark has a free press and the government has no authority to control the press or interfere with the press. The Prime Minister stressed that the Danish people have defended freedom of expression and religious freedom for generations. Freedom of expression should always be combined with respect of religious feelings and beliefs. We should live in peace and harmony like brothers living in different places but with a common point of departure. He furthermore reminded that the only group, which could profit from problems like these were the extremists and fanatics, and that he believed that a huge majority of people in our countries hoped for dialogue, a peaceful relationship and mutual respect. However after a meeting with more than 70 ambassadors Egypt 's ambassador to the Denmark said that Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen's response to the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him drawings controversy has been inadequate and that the country should do more to "appease the whole Muslim world." Fogh Rasmussen called the meeting to detail the government's position and actions in the matter. He reiterated his stance that the government cannot interfere with issues concerning the press. The Ambassador said "We are on the same square one," adding that Fogh Rasmussen should have demanded a more forceful apology from the newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, which published the series of cartoons. In the meeting, Fogh Rasmussen urged diplomats to help calm the uproar and said the tense situation is threatening to "grow to a more global problem" as more countries reprint the cartoons. "If the protests in the streets escalate further, we may be faced with unpredictable repercussions in all the affected countries," he told the meeting. "Therefore, I think we have a common interest in calming down feelings and in settling this affair." Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller, who also took part in the meeting, said the government had reached out to political and religious leaders and trade associations in the Islamic world but also tried to speak to ordinary people via the news media "in order to explain the government's view." "We have tried to reach the 'Arab street' through interviews on satellite networks and the printed press in the Arab world," Moeller said. As the Danish cartoon affair took on a European dimension with the publication of the controversial cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him in several continental newspapers, Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini has defended the right to freedom of expression. However, he also understands "the feelings of indignation, frustration and sadness of the Muslim communities over the last few days as they viewed the cartoons published by a Danish newspaper". "Such events do not facilitate dialogue between faiths and cultures. I personally regard the publication of the cartoons as somewhat imprudent," he said. Nonetheless, Frattini stressed that "it should be crystal clear to all that violence, intimidation, and the calls for boycotts or for restraints on the freedom of the press are completely unacceptable". Franco Frattini, noting the publication as "foolishness and indiscretion" condemned the cartoons. Such publications, Frattini emphasized, will serve to radicalism by fomenting hostility against Islam and foreigners. In response to the "freedom of press" the EU official said the media is not free to make a news story out of anything. Frattini assessing the issue in his personal perspective said if the publication were about his own values, it would hurt him personally as a Catholic Christian and he would have taken great offence. To be honest, such codes of behavior will accelerate Islamophobia across Europe, said Frattini, emphasizing his respect for the freedom of speech. Frattini emphasized the cartoons published in Jyllands Posten did not affect people's ideas on Islam and noted despite everything he is against restricting the freedom of the press. Journalists and caricaturists of course, he said, have the right to publish such materials; however, when the case is evaluated in political terms the situation is not so proper. Frattini said he sees the point of Muslims who expressed offence and hurt and termed the incident as a scandal. In Dubai Annan said Leaders must work to end the violence that has followed the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), United Nations Secretary-General Kofi. Speaking to reporters at the Dubai International Convention Centre where he received the 2005 Zayed Prize for Global Leadership for the Environment, Annan said the media should "respect other religions". "I have spoken out about this, basically indicating that the cartoons and the republishing of the cartoons have caused offence to many Muslims. "Obviously I do respect freedom of the press, but freedom of the press is not a licence. It does entail responsibility and judgement," he said before going on to add that the newspaper concerned has apologised. "We need to be sensitive to other religions...and be sensitive to what is sacred to others. But despite the general offence the publication has caused, I do not think it justifies the violence we are seeing. "I don't think it justifies attacking innocent people and I would appeal to all concerned, all people in authority and influence, to men and women of goodwill, to engage in dialogue and bring this one to an end. We should avoid any words or actions that will inflame the situation," he said. Annan said he was in touch with "lots of leaders" in both the Middle East and Europe in an attempt to defuse the row. "I know that there are groups also in New York who are discussing it and when I go back to New York tomorrow I will be working with concerned delegations to see what we can do to calm the situation," he said. Annan urged Muslims around the world to act with calmness and "forgive" those who did wrong by publishing caricatures of the Prophet. "Once again, I appeal to Muslims to accept the apology that has been offered, and to act as I am sure Almighty God, who is compassionate and merciful, would wish them to do." The Spanish daily El Pais has published the upsetting caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him on its front page. El Pais editors have made no announcement about the decision to run the cartoon on front page. A Norwegian daily, following in the footsteps of the Danes, also published the same insulting caricatures. Despite protests, this week a number of newspapers in France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and Hungary also published the same cartoons on the grounds of "freedom of expression". The United States blasted the publication by European newspapers of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as unacceptable incitement to religious hatred and Egypt criticized Denmark's response to the controversy as inadequate. In the first reaction to the furor sparked by the cartoons, a State Department spokesman said: "These cartoons are indeed offensive to the beliefs of Muslims." He added: "We all fully recognize and respect freedom of the press and expression but it must be coupled with press responsibility." "Inciting religious or ethnic hatred in this manner is unacceptable," he added. Britain's Foreign Secretary Jack Straw attacked European newspapers for reproducing the cartoons, while praising the British press for showing restraint. "There is freedom of speech, we all respect that," Straw told a press conference in London with Sudan's visiting foreign minister Lam Akol. "But there is not any obligation to insult or to be gratuitously inflammatory. I believe that the republication of these cartoons has been unnecessary. It has been insensitive. It has been disrespectful and it has been wrong." A former Vatican foreign minister also criticized the publication of caricatures of religious figures. Cardinal Achille Silvestrini said in an interview published in the Milan daily Corriere della Sera that Europe should not accept the practice of mocking religious symbols. "Freedom is a great value, but it must be shared, it can't be unilateral," said Silvestrini, who no longer speaks for the Holy See. Silvestrini did not advocate censorship, saying instead there should be more "self-censorship." Protests over 12 cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him spread across the Muslim world, as Danish embassies were set on fire in Syria and Lebanon and at least six people were killed during protests in Afghanistan and Somalia. But while the demonstrations were inflamed at least in part by the cartoons' republishing by newspapers across continental Europe, the media in the United States have largely abstained from representing the cartoons, citing them as "too offensive to run," reports Editor and Publisher. The Washington Post said "We have standards about language, religious sensitivity, racial sensitivity and general good taste." At USA Today, deputy foreign editor a similar explanation. Several major US newspapers have published editorials on the cartoons. The Los Angeles Times decided not to republish the "insensitive images," the Boston Globe, while acknowledging the right of newspapers to print material that may offend, argues that "newspapers ought to refrain from publishing offensive caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the name of the ultimate Enlightenment value: tolerance." Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Washington-based Council on American Islamic Relations, said American newspapers have not rushed the cartoons into print perhaps because they feel secure in their constitutional free press protections. "They don't feel the need to go out and be gratuitously insulting just to prove that they can do it, which is what the European media seem to be doing in almost a childish overreaction," he said. Unlike their counterparts in continental Europe, the British media has abstained from reprinting the cartoons, citing reasons similar to those of American newspapers. In an editorial, The Guardian argues, "Insults, in cartoons or elsewhere, are best ignored, not punished...." The Guardian believes uncompromisingly in freedom of expression, but not in any duty to gratuitously offend. It would be senselessly provocative to reproduce a set of images, of no intrinsic value, which pander to the worst prejudices about Muslims. In common with almost all British national newspapers, The Independent on Sunday recognises that re-publication would be regarded as a deliberate insult. Steve Herrmann, editor of BBC News Interactive said, "When we cover any sensitive issue we have to balance our duty to report the story faithfully with our responsibility not to unnecessarily shock or offend our audience. ...In making such judgements it is the interests, needs and expectations of our audience as a whole which are our guiding principle." On the other hand at the end of their extraordinary meeting held in Cairo, the Council of Arab Information Ministers approved a plan for Arab media efforts abroad. The Saudi delegation to the meeting was led by Minister of Culture and Information Mr. Iyad bin Amin Madani. The meeting chose eight projects included in the USD22.5 million plan. The Arab League will prepare details of the projects. The council issued a statement condemning publication by some newspapers of cartoons blasphemous to Islam and the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him. On the other hand Ambassadors and permanent representatives of the OIC member states accredited to the OIC general secretariat will hold an extraordinary meeting in Jeddah An Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Member States` Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives accredited to the OIC General Secretariat will be held at the OIC General Secretariat Headquarters in Jeddah, on Tuesday, 14 February 2006. The Ambassadorial Group will exchange views on the execution of the OIC Ten Year Program of Action adopted by the Extraordinary Islamic Summit held in Makkah Al Mukarramah last December, by concentrating especially on the implementation of the specific section of the Program of Action related to the issue of combating Islamophobia. In the light of the recent developments following the publication in some European press organs of the insulting caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it is expected that the meeting will explore the ways of developing a proactive OIC strategy on this issue to project the true image of Islam and Muslims in the West, as well as to increase cooperation with the international institutions with a view to ensuring the adoption of political, legal and cultural-social frameworks in combating defamation and stereotyping of Muslims and their religion. The governments of Norway and Denmark advised their citizens to leave Syria immediately. The warning comes after a day in which Norwegian and Danish representative offices in Damascus were attacked by mobs of Syrians as part of a number of strikes and threatened attacks against Scandinavian and other European targets in the Muslim world. This followed the publication and reprinting of cartoons depicting the Muslim Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him in several newspapers around Europe. Police in Syria had used tear gas to disperse a crowd responsible for setting fire to the Danish and Norwegian embassies, in protest at cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him. Meantime Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere contacted his Syrian counterpart, Farouk Al Sharaa and made it clear that Norway considers what has happened as totally unacceptable. Stoere underlined the Syrian authorities' responsibility for protecting the embassy and its personnel. He said that Foreign Minister Al Sharaa deeply regrets what has happened, expressing that this was under no circumstances acceptable. The Syrian police separated protesters outside the French embassy during a demonstration in Damascus to protect the Embassy. King Abdullah II of Jordan described vilifying Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him Peace be Upon Him in drawings published in some papers, including Shihan, as a crime could not be justified by the freedom of expression. In a statement issued by the Royal Court, the King said that Shihan paper's act spoils the land and could not be accepted in any way. The King added that he will not tolerate and accept vilifying Islam or any other religion. '' Jordan, which committed to the principles of Islam and respects monotheistic religions and prophets, will not accept, from any side, utilizing the freedom of expression in Jordan to insult Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him, Islam, or any other monotheistic religion. In Cairo, thousands of Egyptians demonstrated to protest against cartoons published in some Danish and Western papers offending Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him. Protesters were carrying banners and chanting slogans stressing that freedom does not mean insulting the Prophet who is considered the Prophet of mercy and humanity. Meanwhile Arab Lawyers Union in Cairo called in a statement for staging a sit in at its headquarters to protest against the intended and recurrent abuses against Moslems, Islam and the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him in many western countries. The statement demand all religious and national institutions to defend human rights and prevent any abuse or offense to prophets, religions, and worship places. Egypt noted that Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Mohamad Sayyed Tantawi led a protest by thousands of Al-Azhar University students against "mocking Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him in a number of European newspapers." Egypt's Mufti Ali Gomaa, Awqaf (religious endowments) Minister Hamdi Zaqzouq and Al-Azhar University President Ahmed El-Tayyib took part in the demonstration. "Tantawi said boycotting the products of all countries which insulted Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him is a religious duty that should be followed by all Muslims," it was noted. The report said that the Egyptian Shura Council "condemned Monday February 7 such caricatures saying there was a clear-cut distinction between freedom of expression, and sacrilege. The council further warned of grave consequences if such anti-religion campaign continued." Commenting on the acts of riots that targeted the Danish and Norway embassies in Damascus said in a statement issued by the White House that the United States condemns in the strongest terms the burning of the Danish and Norwegian Embassies in Damascus, Syria, which also damaged the Chilean and Swedish Embassies. The Government of Syria's failure to provide protection to diplomatic premises, in the face of warnings that violence was planned, is inexcusable, the White House statement added. It continued that the State Department has told the Syrian Ambassador that Syria must act decisively to protect all foreign embassies and citizens in Damascus from attack. We will hold Syria responsible for such violent demonstrations since they do not take place in that country without government knowledge and support. We urge all governments to take measures now to lower tensions and prevent violence, including against any diplomatic premises and against businesses and individuals. We stand with our friends and allies in urging a constructive and peaceful dialogue emphasizing respect for all religious faiths. We commend Danish Prime Minster Rasmussen's responsible statements in recent days urging tolerance and respect for all faiths and for freedom of the press. We stand in solidarity with Denmark and our European allies in opposition to the outrageous acts in Syria, the White House statements concluded. The Grand Mufti of Syria Sheikh Ahmad Badruddin Hassoun expressed regret over the bad way in which some people exploited of means of expression to protest the publication by some European newspapers of offensive drawings of the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him. Hassoun said in a statement that "we feel sadness over what some people did driven by their emotions into a stage in which they impaired our dialogue with the Danish and Norwegian peoples." The EU's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, condemned the violence against Europeans in protests against the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him, saying it went against Islam's image as a peaceful religion. "Solana says those responsible at the local, political and religious level must prevent any repetition of such acts, which can only harm the image of peaceful Islam," his spokeswoman Christina Gallach said. Solana also "condemns in the strongest possible terms the violence and threats levelled against European citizens and interests in Syria and Lebanon and other countries in the region." The presidents of seven European countries have condemned the violent protests against the publication in Europe of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him. "Violence and threats are not acceptable under any circumstances," German head of state Horst Köhler said at a meeting in the eastern city of Dresden with the presidents of Finland, Italy, Latvia, Austria, Portugal and Hungary. "We must express the fact that we respect others but also that we do not accept violence and destruction," Köhler said. Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), has denounced the attacks on and burning of the embassies of Denmark and Norway in the Syrian capital Damascus and the Lebanese one Beirut by demonstrators protesting the publication by a Danish newspaper and a Norwegian one of cartoons offensive to Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him, may the best blessings and peace of God be upon him. Talking about the OIC's assessment of the developments of events in Damascus and Beirut, Professor Ihsanoglu told "Asharq al-Awsat": "What happened in Syria and in Lebanon is a mistake that cannot be accepted. Muslims everywhere should continue their peaceful stand without infringing on the rights of the others." He disclosed that he talked to Syrian Foreign Minister Farooq al-Sharaa yesterday morning following what happened to the Danish and Norwegian Embassies and that he informed him that the Syrian authorities had launched a security investigation into the two incidents. Ihsanoglu talked about telephone contacts with the Saudi Foreign Ministry, Yemen, and Libya during the past two days to discuss the developments and exchange views in order for the council of the Islamic countries' foreign ministers to take a specific stand and measure soon. He added that he had in the past few days telephone contacts with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and EU Representative Javier Solana to exchange views on the current situation resulting from the cartoons. He said: "I exchanged views with Kofi Annan about what the international organization can do to draw up principles of respect for the freedom of religions. I also had a meeting with the European countries' ambassadors and representatives at the OIC secretariat general to discuss the ways out of the present crisis." The OIC secretary general welcomed the Vatican statement denouncing the cartoons that were published on 31 September 2005 but said this statement came somewhat late. He stressed that the OIC secretariat escalated the stand toward the Danish Government four months after the Islamic countries' ambassadors in the capital Copenhagen contacted it and their media and informed them of the dangerous situation but all these efforts to solve the crisis from the beginning were ignored and the Danish Government ignored them. He explained that the OIC role is a diplomatic one in the cartoons issue and noted that it withdrew from a project that was being prepared in the Danish capital under the theme of "Middle East pictures" after the Danish Government ignored the cartoons that were offensive to more than 1 billion Muslims. He called the popular boycott in the Arab and Muslim countries a peaceful and civilized action, adding: "The boycott showed and changed the balance of power and which the other party sensed and felt its danger after ignoring the issue." Professor Ihsanoglu appealed to the Muslim nation around the world to continue the peaceful march without resorting to violence and urged them to respect the diplomatic embassies that have their special status under international law and also under Islamic law. He said there were several motives behind the decision of a number of European newspapers to publish the cartoons that are offensive to the Prophet, may the best blessings and prayers of God be upon him, during the past few days and added: "The main motive behind these newspapers' publication is briefly the defense of the freedom of opinion and of expression." He said: "They believe that freedom of expression in Europe came after a long struggle against the church and its hegemony during the last century and that having overcome the church they can overcome other religions after it." In Lebanon the Head of the Future Parliamentary Bloc MP Saad Hariri expressed his strongest condemnation for the arson incidents and assaults that took place in Achrafieh, stressing that the civil peace in Lebanon is a red line, and any person who violates the civil peace and the Christians in particular will pay the price and will be punished. He said: "What happened in Beirut today is unacceptable at all. And we as one people will not let such things pass like this, and we will pursue all those who committed these disgraceful acts regardless of their affiliations. What happened today represented the greatest harm to the Muslims, and we consider that what happened targeted not only the Christians but also the Muslims. Our reaction will be stronger and fiercer than they think." He added during a news conference held in Paris this afternoon: "We in Lebanon are one people, and the peaceful protest turned into a demonstration against all Lebanese forces and showed the Muslims in Lebanon as if they are against peace. We will not accept this at all and will not allow it to happen again." MP Hariri started his news conference by saying: "I strongly condemn what happened today. It is a black day in Lebanon, which is committed to democratic practice and freedom, because the protest witnessed incidents that violated security. The protest started yesterday against the caricatures that were published in some foreign newspapers which harmed Peace Be Upon Him. We as Muslims totally refuse this matter, but what happened today during the protest which was supposed to be peaceful is insulting to the Muslim religion and the Muslims who wanted to protect Islam. Most of these Muslims had good intentions, but few infiltrators caused widespread violence and they will pay dearly for their acts." He said: "As head of the Future Movement and as a Muslim I say that, we will not allow the perpetrators to escape justice. We will use all our political power inside and outside the government to bring them to justice to pay the price because Muslims and Christians are one and any unethical violation should be severely punished." MP Hariri threatened the evil doers who threw stones in this region on houses, cars or churches will pay a very dear price whether they are Lebanese or non-Lebanese. He said: "We will not allow any foreign powers to manipulate Lebanon's security and will be held full responsible for this. We will protest at our Arab brethren and the international community, if we find out that there was foreign interference in this protest." He called upon the Ministry of Interior and the security apparatus to assume their responsibilities and punish everyone who neglected his duty." Question: Do you think there are Syrian parties involved in what happened today in Beirut? MP Hariri: The army arrested some non-Lebanese people. I think that the ministries of Interior and Defense will issue statements including the names and identities of these persons so that the Lebanese and the whole world know who was trying to shake Lebanon's security. The people will know that a protest that included thirty thousand persons was infiltrated by around five hundred or a thousand persons to carry out these acts that harmed Islam. Those should be punished regardless of their identity because they tried to manipulate the national unity, and this is unacceptable. Question: You said that those who did not carry out their duties, but the Interior Minister is a member of Future Movement, what do you expect from him? MP Hariri: If there was any negligence from any member of the Future Movement then he should bear responsibility. If there is any negligence even from the organizers of the protest, they will also bear responsibility. The demonstrations that were organized since February 14 and until today were impenetrable because we were organized. There was a gap in the organization and in the performance of the security forces, and they should be held responsible, and I will not defend any shortcoming. Question: How do you explain the fact that the Lebanese security forces were unable to protect the Danish Embassy today? MP Hariri: I think that the security forces had a choice of two: either to stop this protest in a way that would lead to blood shed because there were people in the demonstration who wanted this, or to try and calm the people and tell them that what happened today was dangerous and those who committed these acts will pay a high price. Question: Dr. Geagea spoke about the responsibility of anti Future Movement factions that are linked to foreign powers, to whom was he alluding? MP Hariri: I think there are several groups involved in the violence, and whoever they are they will soon have to deal with the consequences of their actions. Question: Is today's demonstration in Beirut, directly linked to what happened in Damascus yesterday? MP Hariri: I do not know, they could be or not. The Security Forces will find out if those people received orders to do what they did. Question: What will you say to the Christians? MP Hariri: Today's disturbances in Beirut, which affected the Christian community in particular, are totally unacceptable. We are one people and we will not let these things go by, we will pursue each and every person who threw a single rock on any citizen or house or car. I would like to say to the Christian community that the Muslims in Beirut are ashamed of what happened, and that the purpose of the demonstration was peaceful. But these criminals, these cowards will pay the price and we will not allow them to repeat their actions, for we believe that all of us, Muslims and Christians, are but one people, and we will do our utmost to defend our country. I would also like to tell our Christian brothers, that every stone that was thrown on a house or car or church was also thrown on the Muslims because this was a grave insult for the Muslims. We consider that what happened today was not aimed only against the Christians but against the Muslims too. We will not accept what happened, and we will not accept such a treatment of our Christians brothers. Our reaction will be fierce and ten times stronger because any person who throws a stone on another sect should be punished ten times as severely." Question: Are you worried for Lebanon's civil peace, after today's events? MP Hariri: No, on the contrary. If you look at the Lebanese political spectrum you can see that all political factions, Muslims and Christians alike, agree that there is a small number of people trying to destabilize Lebanon's security, and this time we will be adamant and whoever committed these disturbances will find themselves behind the bars of a Lebanese jail." Question: Do you know how many were arrested until now? MP Hariri: They are between 60 and 100 persons. Question: In your official statement you linked what happened in Damascus and what happened today, do you think that Syria is behind these disturbances? MP Hariri: I said that the disturbances started in Damascus, and there are some hints that link the two incidents. However, what is important for us is that this is a red line and anyone who assails Lebanon's civil peace and the Christians will pay the price. Whoever committed this crime has acted against Islam. I know that there were thousands who took part in the demonstration and acted peacefully and in good faith, but there are few who committed these disturbances and they have to pay and will pay the price of their actions." Question: Do you fear for the International Investigation in the assassination of Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, and do you consider what happened in Syria, yesterday, an attempt to evade the accusations and the international investigation team? MP Hariri: There is a definite progress in the investigation and when we notice a start of security disturbances and problems then this means that some factions, whether Lebanese or not, will be harmed by the result of the investigation. The investigation will continue and whoever committed this crime will pay the price, now or in six month or even in a year, but at the end they will pay the price for the crime they committed in Lebanon." Question: Do you think that these caricatures will prove to be a distraction from other important issues facing the Arab people? MP Hariri: The caricatures are not part of the investigation. The demonstration started peacefully, but some people tired to destabilize Lebanon's security, and to divert attention. They will fail and they will soon discover where the consequences of their actions will lead them." Question: How do you feel after what happened? MP Hariri: I personally feel that Muslims felt insulted today because a peaceful demonstration has been turned into a demonstration against all Lebanese factions, and showed that the Muslims are against peace. All Muslims, men and women are peaceful and Islam is a religion of peace and not a religion of throwing rocks at cars and churches. It is a black day for all Muslims in Lebanon and those who incited these disturbances will pay a very high price." Question: What do you call for? MP Hariri: I call for appeasement, I ask our Christians brothers for appeasement. And I reiterate that this demonstration has insulted all Muslims and it is against Muslims not Christians. What happened today is against Islam and Muslims." Question: How do reassure the foreign citizens living in Beirut? MP Hariri: Lebanon is passing through a difficult period, but a period in which violence does not rule. Today's events are a warning and I know that our security forces will arrest the perpetrators and take care of security. I believe that calm will return and I hope that all citizens and visitors will have faith in Lebanon, for the people of Lebanon will never give up. Question: In your previous statement you said that there was an attempt to destabilize Lebanon that was planned and prepared in Damascus? MP Hariri: Yesterday several demonstrations occurred in Damascus and two foreign embassies were burned. Today, the demonstration in Beirut was supposed to be peaceful. However, that did not happen and the security forces are working since the beginning of today's events to search and arrest the perpetrators. Until now several non Lebanese people were arrested. When we receive solid evidence that there have been foreign incitement and involvement from any faction or group we will be very clear about it, because Lebanon's security is not a toy in anyone's hands. I assure you that they will pay the price. Question: Do you know the nationalities of the arrested perpetrators? MP Hariri: I am still waiting for details. On the other hand Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh expressed Lebanon's condemnation of the burning of the Danish consulate to his Danish counterpart during a telephone conversation. Salloukh stressed that Lebanon was committed in protecting foreign citizens on its land and diplomatic headquarters. Salloukh in turn received a phone call from his Austrian counterpart who urged the Lebanese government to take proper measures to protect European individuals and missions in Lebanon.