The protests outside Sweden's consulate in Istanbul began on Saturday night when hundreds of people gathered to express anger at the Koran burning outside the Turkish embassy earlier on Saturday.

During Sunday, the protests continued.

Around 250 people gathered outside the Swedish consulate, reports the news agency AP.

In pictures from the scene, police can be seen guarding the consulate's entrance and the riot fence has been set up on the sidewalk outside the consulate.

"An attack on all Muslims"

In the city of Batman in southeastern Turkey, the protests are considerably more extensive.

Thousands of people, many of whom are carrying copies of the Koran, have gathered in the city's streets.

- We strongly condemn this act.

It is impossible for any Muslim to accept, it is an attack on all Muslims, a protester in the city told the Reuters news agency.

Several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait, have also condemned the Koran burning, Al Jazeera reports.

Another protester in the city of Batman told Reuters that it is obvious that people in Turkey and other countries are reacting to Paludan's action:

- If someone who calls himself a politician in Sweden can burn Korans in front of the Turkish embassy, ​​it is natural that people gather in squares in response.

"What is legal is not necessarily appropriate"

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) has expressed sympathy for the Muslims who have taken offense at Saturday's demonstrations in Stockholm.

"Freedom of expression is a fundamental part of democracy.

But what is legal is not necessarily appropriate,” the Prime Minister wrote on Twitter on Saturday.

Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) has expressed the government's dissociation from Paludan's action:

"Islamophobic provocations are terrifying.

Sweden has far-reaching freedom of speech, but that does not mean that the Swedish government, or myself, support the views expressed".

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Here they are demonstrating against Sweden - see the images from Istanbul and Ankara in the clip.

Photo: Reuters