(AP Photo)

    BEIJING, May 16 -- The influential US magazine Newsweek says its story about the desecration of the Quran at the US prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba is inaccurate.

    Editor Mark Whitaker apologized, Sunday, for the May 9 article which triggered mass protests across the Muslim world, leading to at least 16 deaths in Afghanistan.

    The article incorrectly reported that U.S. military investigators at the detention facility had flushed the Muslim holy book down the toilet.

    It said the information came from a "knowledgeable government source", but that the source later claimed to be unsure if it had happened.

    In the latest issue of the magazine, which is to appear on newsstands, Monday, the editor expresses regret for the mistake and extends sympathies to victims of the violence.

    The article has been linked to Muslim uprisings in Pakistan, Indonesia and the Palestinian territories.

    In the past week it has been condemned by Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Malaysia and by the Arab League.

    On Sunday, Afghan Muslim clerics threatened to call for a holy war against the United States.

    Newsweek said it was not contemplating disciplinary action against staff.

    The U.S. national security adviser, Stephen Hadley told CNN, Sunday, that the incident was under investigation and if it proved to be true, action would be taken against those responsible. Enditem

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)