Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström stated on Thursday that his country "does not agree with or condone the burning of copies of the Quran, but its freedom of expression laws permit it." Billström said, "There is a perception in some countries that the Swedish state is behind this or turns a blind eye. We are not." He added, "These are acts committed by individuals but they do so within the framework of freedom of expression laws." Billström noted that he is in communication with the foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Lebanon, and others, as well as with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. He further mentioned, "I will now speak with the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation."
For his part, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed "serious concern about the consequences if protests involving the desecration of copies of the Quran continue." He told the Swedish news agency TT, "There are a number of new requests for permission to desecrate." He continued, "If permission is granted, we will face some days that pose a clear threat of something serious occurring. I am very concerned about what this could lead to." Sweden has seen several protests in recent weeks, during which pages were torn or copies of the Quran were burned, provoking anger and condemnation from the Islamic world.
