Pakistani Islamists' anti-France sit-in ends peacefully

Thousands of supporters of a radical Islamic scholar on Tuesday ended ir sit-in in Pakistani capital over republishing in France of caricatures of Prophet Muhammad, which y deem blasphemous.

sit-in at edge of Islamabad was disbanded after protesters got assurances from government that ir demand for cutting diplomatic ties with France would be discussed in Parliament in three months.

An agreement was reached between government ministers and leaders of Tehreek-e-Labiak Pakistan party shortly after midnight Monday, after which protesters started dispersing.

sit-in, headed by firebrand cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, started with a protest march on Sunday night from nearby garrison city of Rawalpindi.

As protesters neared Faizabad intersection, which connects capital, Islamabad, with Rawalpindi, y clashed with security forces. Police fired rounds of teargas in response to stones hurled by protesters. Several policemen and protesters were reportedly injured.

After violence died down, protesters std a sit-in at intersection, demanding government recall Pakistan’s ambassador to France and expel French ambassador from Islamabad.

prophet caricatures have sparked protests in Asia and Middle East, with calls for boycott of French products. y were also seen as trigger for several attacks against French nationals and interests in recent weeks.

Tehreek-e-Labiak spokesman, Shafiq Amini, said government had accepted protesters' demands and would put decision on breaking off ties with France before Parliament. Authorities also agreed to release all arrested members of Tehreek-e-Labiak, Amini said.

deal was signed by ministers for interior and religious affairs, as well as Islamabad commissioner. ne of those officials was available for comments.

Tehreek-e-Labiak has a history of staging protests and sit-ins to press ir demands. In vember 2017, its followers std a 21-day protest and sit-in after a reference to sanctity of Prophet Muhammad was removed from text of a government form.

(Im: AP)