Lebanese demonstrators gather at the Danish consulate after setting fire to it in Beirut, capital city of Lebanon, on Feb. 5, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

    BRUSSELS, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- The President of European Parliament Josep Borrell said on Monday that freedom of expression must avoid any insult.

    Josep Borrell made the remarks following the events surrounding the publication of a series of cartoons and the attacks on several European embassies in some Muslim countries.

    "The European Union upholds the values on which it was founded. Freedom of expression is one of those values, but this must be within the boundaries of respect for the religious beliefs and cultural sensitivities of others," Borrell said in a statement..

    "I understand that, for many Muslims, the cartoons that have been published are an insult to their beliefs," he said.

    Borrell also condemned the use of violence and incitement to violence against the property and citizens of the EU.

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    "I consider it unacceptable that the publication of the material concerned has been exploited so as to stir up violent responses," he added.

    Muslims have been protesting against the publication by a Danish newspaper of 12 cartoons depicting their Prophet Mohammad in September. Anti-Europe violence has escalated recently as several European newspapers reprinted the cartoons.

    In the Muslim culture, the prophet and Allah shall not be depicted. Enditem