Obama criticizes Quran burning, Afghan attacks

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is extending his deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those killed in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif by protesters enraged by the burning of a Quran in Florida.

Obama says desecration of the Quran "is an act of extreme intolerance and bigotry."

But he says that does not justify attacking and killing innocent people, calling it "outrageous and an affront to human decency and dignity."

Eleven were killed Friday, including seven foreign U.N. employees.

And Afghans rioted for a second day Saturday, killing nine people in Kandahar and injuring more than 80.

Obama said in a statement that no religion tolerates "the slaughter and beheading of innocent people."

He said now was a time to draw upon the common humanity of all.