called misconceived press freedom, hurting feelings of more than a billion Muslims around the world. The cartoons appeared in the Dominion Post and the Press based in Christchurch, both owned by Australia's Fairfax group. As expected, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, in a meeting with Egypt's ambassador, reiterated his stance that the government cannot interfere with issues concerning the press. On Monday, he said his government could not apologize on behalf of a newspaper, but that he personally "never would have depicted Prophets Mohammed (PBUH), Jesus (ISA-PBUH) or any other religious character in a way that could offend other people." While recognizing the importance of freedom of the press and expression, U.S. State Department press officer Janelle Hironimus said these rights must be coupled with press responsibility. "Inciting religious or ethnic hatred in this manner is not acceptable," Hironimus said. "We call for tolerance and respect for all communities and for their religious beliefs and practices." About 10,000 demonstrators, including gunmen from Hamas group firing in the air, marched through Gaza City to the Palestinian legislature, where they climbed on the roof, waving green Hamas banners and chanting "Down, Down Denmark!" Thousands protested in Nablus and Jenin, burning Danish flags and dairy products. Meanwhile, Israel barred all Palestinians under age 45 from praying at Al Aqsa Mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site. --MORE 12 15 Local Time 09 15 GMT
