STOCKHOLM, Feb 8: Denmark’s table tennis team has cancelled a trip to the Middle East this month following violent Muslim protests over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Table tennis association chairman Aksel Beckmann said Denmark would not take part in Pro Tour events in Qatar and Kuwait which begin on Feb 13.

“We’re not going to Qatar and Kuwait because we don’t want to risk the lives of our players, given the current climate,” Beckmann told Swedish news agency TT.

The decision was made on recommendation from the Danish government.

Tens of thousands of Muslims have demonstrated in the Middle East, Asia and Africa over the drawings, first published in Denmark, then Norway and then several other European countries.—Reuters