The Dutch cabinet regrets the fact that Geert Wilders has gone public with his anti-Koran film, Dutch prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende said on Thursday evening.

The film compares Islam with a number of gruesome crimes and has no aim other than to upset people, Balkenende said. ‘The problem is not the religion but the abuse of the religion,’ Balkenende said.
Several ministers met to discuss their reaction to the film on Thursday evening and spent several hours compiling the government’s official response.
Balkenende also said the public prosecution department is examining the film to see if any laws have been broken.
The European Commission said it will publish its reaction to the film on Friday, after the Dutch government had given its views.