08/02/2006

Four more die as cartoon protests continue

Four more protestors have been killed in Afghanistan as protests continue over the publication of cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad.

The demonstrators were killed as police attempted to stop a mob attacking a US military base in Qalat, At least another eleven protestors and eight Afghan policemen were also injured in the clash.

Eleven protestors have now been killed in protests in Afghanistan over the cartoons.

In Palestine today, hundreds of protestors gathered to throw stones at an international observer mission in the West Bank town of Hebron. The protestors were eventually pushed back, allowing the foreign visitors to leave.

Protests have been taking place across the Muslim world over the cartoons, which were first published in a Danish newspaper last September. Last week, they were reprinted in a number of European newspapers.

The latest paper to publish the cartoons was French satirical magazine 'Charlie Hebdo', which printed the cartoons after winning a case brought by several Islamic groups in a French court.

The magazine cover featured a new cartoon, showing Muhammad holding his head in his hands, saying: "It's hard to be loved by fools."

US president George Bush called for an end to the protests today. He said: "I call upon the governments around the world to stop the violence, to be respectful, to protect property, protect the lives of innocent diplomats who are serving their countries overseas."

(KMcA)

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