Violence Continues Over Cartoons

Angry demonstrators set fire to the Danish consulate in Beirut today, protesting the publication, and republication, of cartoons they believe were offensive to the Muslim religion. Meanwhile, government officials in Denmark and Norway have attempted to calm the situation, explaining that the state does not control the media, but this does not seem to have satisfied the protesters, many of whom to continue to demand apologies, both from the specific newspapers and from Denmark, Norway, and France. The cartoons first appeared in a Danish paper in September of last year. Various European publications have opted to reprint them, and at least one newspaper editor, at France-Soir, has apparently lost his job for that decision. The paper is owned by Egyptian businessman Raymond Lakah. The New York Times has more on the Beirut situation here.