S.African paper to apologise for cartoon - Muslim group

A South African weekly, which angered Muslims by publishing a cartoon of Prophet Mohammad, agreed to issue an apology after a meeting with the United Muslims Forum of South Africa on Wednesday, the group said.

Group representatives met Mail & Guardian editor Nic Dawes and cartoonist Zapiro after the paper published a drawing last week depicting the prophet on a psychologist's couch saying his followers have no sense of humour.

This angered Muslims, who consider as offensive any depiction of the founder of Islam, and raised fears of reprisals during next month's World Cup. In 2005, a Danish newspaper published cartoons of Mohammad, sparking violent protests that killed several dozen people.

"The Mail and Guardian have agreed to issue a press release in which they record (that the paper) regrets the harm caused by the publication of the cartoon and apologises for the effects thereof," said a statement from the Muslim group.

Neither Dawes nor anyone at his newspaper were immediately available for comment.