Putin calls for 'responsibility' from religious leaders

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin called Sunday for world religious leaders to exercise "responsibility," amid fury in the Muslim world over recent remarks by Pope Benedict XVI.

"We understand how sensitive this area is," Putin was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

"I think it would be correct to call on the leaders of all world confessions to show responsibility and restraint," he told a meeting of parliament speakers from the G8 (Group of Eight) countries.

His comments came as pressure mounted on the pope to offer a personal apology for remarks he made in Germany last week that implicitly linked Islam and violence.