BRUSSELS, Feb 20: Iran backed calls from other Muslim and world leaders on Monday for an end to violent protests over the controversial cartoons, urging calm amid demonstrations that have left at least 45 people dead in the Muslim world over the past month.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, on a visit to European Union headquarters, said he and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana urged better dialogue between the Muslim world and the West over respect and tolerance.

“We accepted to cooperate with each other to calm down the situation, not to offend the values, religious values in particular from one side, and freedom of expression from the other side _ some kind of balance,” Mr Mottaki told reporters. “We should try to cool down the situation. We do not support any violence.”

Mr Solana said his visit last week to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran and other Muslim nations to mend fences ‘was making headway’.

Pope Benedict XVI also tried to soothe the tensions, saying religious symbols must be respected but violence can never be justified.

Malaysia’s prime minister warned that mistrust and fear of Islam is growing every day in the West.

Mr Mottaki added that freedom of expression must be exercised with sensitivity and with respect for others’ values and beliefs.—AP