Denmark’s foreign minister today blamed extremists for violent protests in Muslim countries against the Prophet Mohammed cartoons and warned that al-Qaida would exploit the situation.

DENMARK’S Prime Minister yesterday appealed for calm amid what he called a “growing global crisis” over drawings of the prophet Mohammed.

Israel was accused of a massacre yesterday after at least 13 Palestinians were killed and more than 100 wounded during a devastating army raid on a Gaza Strip town.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said that for the first time in nearly two years of fighting, he sees the possibility of a negotiated deal with the Palestinians.