Protests to denounce the burning of the Quran occur nationwide in Iraq. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The Ministry of Culture will suspend all cultural cooperation with Sweden and Denmark and their embassies in Beirut until the two countries' authorities take appropriate measures to correct the incident, the NNA quoted Culture Minister Mohammad Wissam Mortada as saying. The Minister added that Lebanon has expressed strong condemnation of such offensive actions more than once.

Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the Danish government will seek to find a legal tool to prevent the burning of copies of the Quran in Denmark. The Danish government will explore the possibility of intervening in situations where other countries, cultures, and religions are being insulted, and where this could have significant negative consequences for Denmark, not least with regard to security, he added.

Denmark and Sweden said they deplore the burning of the Quran but cannot prevent it under laws on protecting free speech. Both governments are considering amending the law to allow authorities to prevent similar attacks in the future.

Both countries have found themselves in the international spotlight in recent weeks following anti-Islam protests where the Quran, the Muslim holy book, has been damaged or burned, offending Muslims around the world. Some Middle East countries have summoned diplomats from Denmark and Sweden over recent burnings of the Quran.