Iraq calls for calm after Pope's remarks

BAGHDAD Sep 16 (Reuters) Iraq's government today called for calm in response to remarks by Pope Benedict that have angered Muslims, saying those offended should not take out their anger on the country's small Christian minority.

The door of a church in Basra was attacked overnight, in what appeared to be the first strike in Iraq since the comments.

''We call on all those who love God's prophets not to carry out actions that will harm our Christian brothers here,'' Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in an interview with Iraqiya state television.

''The Pope's remarks reflect his misunderstanding of the principles of Islam and its teachings that call for forgiveness, compassion and mercy,'' he added.

''There were kings that carried the cross and committed crimes under the cross. But we do not hold Christianity or its followers responsible for these actions because they are the action of individuals.'' The Vatican said on Saturday the Pope was sorry if Muslims were offended by the speech he gave on Tuesday, in which he quoted a medieval scholar who said Islam's Prophet Mohammad had brought no good, and Muslims spread their faith by force.

A guard at the church in Basra said unidentified assailants struck the door with either knives or an axe.

Apart from the marks, there was no damage, but strikes on religious buildings are potent statements in a country where an attack on an empty Shi'ite shrine in February triggered months of sectarian killing.

Iraq's small Christian minority has generally been spared the country's violence.

Like most Muslim countries, Iraq saw large demonstrations earlier this year over the publication of Danish political cartoons that lampooned the Prophet.

Iraq's leading Sunni politician demanded an apology, in a statement issued shortly before the Vatican said Benedict was sorry.

''These remarks disparage Islam and its merciful Prophet,'' Adnan al-Dulaimi said in a statement released by his political party.

Dulaimi leads the largest Sunni bloc in Iraq's parliament.

The Pope's remarks have been denounced by Muslims around the world, including in Iraq. Shi'ite preachers denounced the Pope's remarks in sermons at Friday prayers.

REUTERS SY KP1801