The cartoons, depicting the Prophet Muhammad wearing a turban shaped as a bomb, were first published by the newspaper “Jyllands Posten” in September 2005, but the debate was reignited last week when a Norwegian Christian magazine republished the illustrations.
The paper today has issued a statement apologizing to the world's Muslims for publishing Muhammad caricatures.
In Gaza City armed Palestinian militants stormed an EU office in protest today after distributing flyers yesterday urging Nordic nationals to leave the territories within 72 hours.
The controversy has also triggered calls in many Arab countries for a boycott of Danish products.
Several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Libya, have also said they intend to recall their ambassadors from Copenhagen.
In a statement today, the European Commission said it supported Denmark's defense that the cartoons were published in the spirit of free speech.
(compiled from agency reports)