Australian PM: 'Sydney riots appalling'

Australia’s leader said race riots in Sydney involving whites and youths of Middle Eastern appearance in recent days were appalling, and that all parties must be prosecuted regardless of their background or grievances.

“The incidents were appalling. There is no doubt about that. Violence is never acceptable, never,” Prime Minister John Howard said in Malaysia’s main city, Kuala Lumpur, where he was attending a regional summit.