Cartoon row: George Bush calls Danish leader

Bush called Denmark's PM to express solidarity in the wake of violence over the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.

US President George W Bush has called Denmark's Prime Minister to express "our support and solidarity" in the wake of violence over the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, the White House said on Tuesday.

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Spokesman Scott McClellan said Bush and Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen agreed that all sides must move forward "through dialogue and tolerance, not violence".

Muslim crowds have attacked Danish diplomatic buildings and other interests in protest against the cartoons.

The drawings, which first appeared in a Danish newspaper in September, have touched a raw nerve in part because Islam is interpreted to forbid any illustrations of Muhammad, for fear they could lead to idolatry. One of the drawings shows the prophet wearing a turban shaped as a bomb.

At the State Department, spokesman Sean McCormack said American diplomats around the world had been directed to offer Denmark whatever assistance it might need to maintain its embassies.