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WikiLeaks: Syria Helped Orchestrate 2006 Mohammed Cartoon Riots
(DPA-Ha'aretz) The government of Syria was active in organizing the 2006 riots that erupted across the Arab world following the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, the Oslo daily Aftenposten reported Monday, quoting U.S. diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks. Embassies targeted included those of Norway, Denmark and Sweden. A diplomatic cable said the Syrian premier had, "several days before the demonstrations, instructed the Grand Mufti Sheikh Hassoun to issue a strongly worded directive to the imams delivering Friday sermons in the mosques of Damascus." The riots ended when Syria "felt that 'the message had been delivered'." The incident resulted in the evacuation of Norwegian diplomats and demands for compensation.