Quran desecration, German defense minister cancels visit to Iraq

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has canceled a visit to Baghdad, scheduled for Sunday, due to security concerns . This was announced today by a ministry spokesman, citing security concerns after the Swedish embassy in Baghdad was set on fire last week during protests against Koran burnings in Stockholm. Several thousand Iraqis demonstrated in Baghdad yesterday over the recent burning or damaging of the holy book in Sweden and Denmark. The cancellation of Pistorius' trip, which was to last several days, was also a response to protests against a Danish nongovernmental organization in Iraq, the spokesman said. That fact, along with the risk of further protests in the coming days, prompted German security forces to recommend canceling the trip, the spokesman said, adding that the visit will take place at a later date, possibly during the fourth quarter of the year.