Extremist US pastor insists he will burn Koran

A US church minister today insisted he will go ahead with plans to burn copies of the Koran in protest at the September 11 attacks despite the top general in Afghanistan warning it endanger American troops.

Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Centre in Florida said he understood general David Petraeus’ concerns, but plans to hold the burning on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the attacks.