(BRDO PRI KRANJU) - European foreign ministers on Saturday supported the Netherlands in rejecting an anti-Islamic film by a far-right Dutch lawmaker.

"Ministers expressed their full support for the position taken by the Dutch government in rejecting Mr (Geert) Wilders' opinions on Islam," the 27 European Union foreign ministers said in a statement.

"The film equates Islam with violence and this view is sharply rejected. The vast majority of Muslims reject extremism and violence," they said.

An Internet site said Saturday it had removed the anti-Islam film "Fitna" after receiving threats to its staff amid protests by Muslim nations and the UN chief.

The Britain-based Liveleak.com said it pulled down the 17-minute video, which can still be seen on other websites, including YouTube.com. The film was posted to the Internet on Thursday.

Fearing a repeat of violent clashes that followed the publication in 2005 of cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed in Danish newspapers, the Dutch government has distanced itself from Wilders' film and Islamic leaders there have called for calm.

The EU foreign ministers, who ended two days of talks in Brdo, near the Slovenian capital Ljubljana, said that Muslims, Christians and all other faiths "must live together in peace and with mutual respect."

"The problem is not religion, but abusing religion as a pretext for sowing hatred and intolerance," their statement added.

"Feeling offended is no excuse for aggression or threats," the 27 EU ministers said.

The European Union's Slovenian presidency on Friday slammed the film which it said served "no other purpose than inflaming hatred."

"The European Union and its member states apply the principle of the freedom of speech, which is part of our values and traditions," the presidency said.

"However, it should be exercised in a spirit of respect for religious and other beliefs and convictions," it added.

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