PARIS, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Interpol issued a global alert for possible terrorism connected to this weekend's planned Koran burning by an American clergyman.
Interpol said Thursday it issued the advisory to its 188 member nations at the request of Pakistan's interior minister, Rehman Malik, who wanted police around the world to be on their toes.
The Paris-based agency said its command center would be on a heightened state of alert for any indications of trouble this weekend.
Interpol Secretary-General Ronald Noble called the high-profile plan by a Florida Christian pastor to set fire to stacks of Korans on the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks a provocation against Muslims.
"September 11 is a day when the world should come together to redouble our efforts to prevent and fight terrorism, not a day when any individual, especially an American, should engage in provocative acts that will give terrorists propaganda," Noble said in a written statement.
U.S. leaders have also urged Pastor Terry Jones to cancel the book-burning, which Jones calls a protest against violent Muslim extremism.
