UN Blames Florida Pastor for Violence in Mazar-e-Sharif

The UN Chief's envoy to Afghanistan, Staffan De Mistura, strongly criticised the Florida pastor for burning a copy of the Koran which sparked violent demonstrations in Afghanistan.

On Friday, hundreds took to the streets in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif to protest at the Koran burning in a Florida church.
Some protesters who were reportedly armed killed 7 foreign workers of the UN, that followed strong condemnation by the Afghan government, the UN Secretary General and the US President.
Mr Staffan De Mistura blamed the violence on the Florida pastor, describing the burning of the holy Koran as "insane and totally deprecable gesture by one person".
I don't think we should be blaming any Afghans, we should blame the one who burnt the Koran, he said addressing a news conference in Kabul on Saturday.
Freedom of speech does not mean to offend culture, religion and traditions, he added.
Mr De Mistura reiterated the UN's commitment to continue its assistance to the Afghan people despite the attack on its Mazar office.
"The Secretary General is of the opinion and I am of the same opinion that this should not deter UN presence and activities in this delicate and particularly crucial period, said Mr De Mistura addressing a news conference in Kabul.
The UN has temporarily shifted its staff to Kabul until the office building in Mazar is repaired.
Pastor Wayne Sapp burnt a copy of the Koran in Florida on 20 March, under the supervision of pastor Terry Jones who had last year planned and cancelled a Koran burning ceremony.