(TAP) - Tunisia strongly condemned the burning of several copies of the Holy Quran by extremists in the Kingdom of Sweden, calling this act a "blatant provocation" to the feelings of Muslims worldwide.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs denounced the burning of copies of the Qur'an as an "odious act" that has no relation to the exercise of freedom of expression.

This act is a clear violation of universal common human rights principles and values, as well as an incitement to violence, hatred and contempt for religions, the same statement said.

The department added that Tunisia has never ceased to warn against these serious "rejected and condemned" practices, calling for the need to combine efforts to disseminate the values of tolerance and coexistence between religions and respect for the inviolability of holy places and sacred books of peoples.