France: French President Emmanuel Macron has said he can understand why Muslims were shocked by controversial cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
In an interview with broadcaster Al Jazeera, he said he could never accept the issue justified violence.
“I understand the sentiments being expressed and I respect them. But you must understand my role right now, it’s to do two things: to promote calm and also to protect these rights,” Macron said.
“I will always defend in my country the freedom to speak, to write, to think, to draw,” he added.
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A row has been growing with Muslim countries over issue of the cartoons.
Muslims have urged a boycott of French products as Mr Macron has defended the right to use the images in the context of freedom of speech.
Earlier this month a teacher was beheaded in a Paris suburb after showing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad to some of his pupils
