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

¡¡UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday spoke out against those publishers who "pour oil on the fire" by reprinting controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad while repeating his condemnation of the violent protests they have sparked.

    "Honestly, I do not understand why any newspaper will publish the cartoons today," Annan told reporters at the UN Headquarters in New York. "It is insensitive, it is offensive, it is provocative, and they should see what has happened around the world."

    He was quick to add that he was not against freedom of speech or freedom of the press. "I am for that, but as I have indicated in the past, freedom of speech is not a license. It does entail exercising responsibility and judgment, and quite honestly I cannot understand why any editor will publish cartoons at this time which inflames, and pours oil on the fire."

    Asked about the role of governments, he replied, "We all need to take steps to calm the situation and whatever the anger of those concerned, violence is not the answer."

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::::::	Annan urges Muslims to accept apology by Danish paper

    He also stressed that innocent civilians should not be targeted. "They should not attack people who are not responsible for the publication of the cartoons. Whether it is a general condemnation of Denmark, or Europeans, it is wrong. They should really avoid doing that, and violence must be condemned as unacceptable." Enditem