Saudi newspapers on Sunday printed an apology by the Danish paper whose cartoons on the Prophet Mohammad have sparked deadly protests around the world. 
"Allow me in the name of Jyllands-Posten to apologize for what happened and declare my strong condemnation of any step that attacks specific religions, ethnic groups and peoples. I hope that with this I have removed the misunderstanding," wrote Carsten Juste, the editor of Jyllands-Posten.
The full-page advertisements appeared in Asharq al-Awsat, which is circulated around the Arab world, as well as the local al-Riyadh and al-Jazira.
The apologies were dated Feb. 5, but an advertising spokesman at al-Riyadh told Reuters it may have taken time for the papers to approve the announcement.
In recent days, 16 people have died in Nigeria and 11 in Libya during violent protests against the cartoons published by the Danish paper.
"It is extremely important to point out that the aim behind these cartoons was not to attack the Prophet at all or devalue him, but as an opening to dialogue on freedom of expression," the Danish editor said in his apology. "We did not realize at the time how sensitive this issue was for Muslims in Denmark or millions of Muslims around the world."
© 2006 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
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