Danish premier condemns statements about Muslims by maverick Dutch lawmaker

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Wednesday condemned comments made by a Dutch lawmaker who called the Quran a "fascist book."

Fogh Rasmussen said Geert Wilders' comments about Muslims were "offensive" and made clear the Dutch parliamentarian could expect no support from the Danish government.

Wilders, who plans to release an anti-Quran film this month, praised the Danish prime minister Tuesday for defending freedom of speech amid Muslim protests against Danish cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

"I wish we had such a prime minister," Wilders, who leads the Netherlands' Freedom Party, told Danish TV station DR2.

Wilders also criticized the Quran in the interview, calling it a book of "submission" and "disrespect."

"I think it is a fascist book. I think the Quran only brings a lot of tension in our countries, it's a violent book," Wilders said.

Fogh Rasmussen responded by issuing a statement "rejecting Wilders' attempts to associate his views to those of the Danish government."

"The government stands guard over the freedom of expression, but I wish to underline once more that we do not share the values and views that Mr. Wilders represents," he said. "I find these expressions extremely offensive."

Protesters in Pakistan and Afghanistan have rallied against Denmark and the Netherlands in recent weeks over perceived insults against Islam.

The demonstrators denounced Wilders' upcoming film as well as the reappearance of one of the Muhammad cartoons in Danish newspapers. The newspapers said they reprinted the cartoon in a manifestation for freedom of speech after police uncovered an alleged plot to kill the artist who drew it.

Dutch officials fear Wilders' 15-minute film could spark violent protests in Muslim countries similar to those two years ago after the initial publication of the Danish Muhammad cartoons.