COPENHAGEN, January 31, 2006 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) - The editor of a Danish newspaper which printed blasphemous cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has apologized, as anger spread throughout the Muslim world, threatening trade and security repercussions for Nordic countries.

"These cartoons were not in violation of Danish law but have irrefutably offended many Muslims, and for that we apologize," wrote Jyllands-Posten daily editor-in-chief Carsten Juste Monday, January 30, in a letter to the Petra news agency in Jordan.

Published last September, the 12 cartoons included portrayals of the Prophet wearing a time-bomb shaped turban and showed him as a knife-wielding nomad flanked by shrouded women.

Initially passing with little comment, they were later reprinted in a Norwegian magazine, prompting an international uproar and calls for an apology from leading Muslim scholars and politicians alike.

"These cartoons were not in violation of Danish law but have irrefutably offended many Muslims, and for that we apologize," said Juste.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, who has refused to apologize on behalf of the Danish people, was quick to welcome the editor's contrition as protests continued against Danish interests in the Middle East, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"We must note that what happened was something that really made spirits boil, deeply hurting many people who felt their religion had been violated," he said on DR1 public television.

The prime minister reiterated that he personally respected all religions.

"I could never have presented Muhammad, Jesus or other religious figures in a manner which could be insulting to others," he said.

He continued: "It delights me enormously that Jyllands-Posten took this evening a very essential step."

He added that he hoped it would "contribute constructively to a solution" to this crisis.

"It is normal in a society where the press is free and independent that the solution comes above all from the media, because it is not the government which writes the newspapers."

The Muslim world's two main political bodies -- the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Arab League -- said Sunday, January 29, they were seeking a UN resolution, backed by possible sanctions, to protect religions in response to the furor.

Danish embassies in the Middle East have been the scenes of protests, a Danish flag was burnt by angry Palestinian demonstrators in Gaza and Gulf retailers pulled Danish products off their shelves.

Saudi Arabia recalled its ambassador to Denmark, prompting the European Commission to warn of action through the World Trade Organization if the Saudi government supported a boycott of Danish products.

An Iraqi group called the Army of Mujahedeen (holy warriors) called its members to attack Danish targets.

"Wherever there is a trace of these (offenders) we should show them who Muhammad is, and who are his followers," an Internet statement posted by the group said.

In Norway, a foreign ministry spokesman denied media reports that the government had asked its diplomats to apologize to Muslim countries.