GAINESVILLE – The leader of a tiny church yesterday backed off his threat to burn the Quran, saying he gave up the plan in exchange for a deal to move a planned Islamic center and mosque away from New York’s ground zero. The imam planning the center, however, quickly denied any such deal.
The Reverend Terry Jones had been under intense pressure to back off, including a statement from President Barack Obama and a personal call from US Defence Secretary Robert Gates. Jones made his announcement outside his church alongside Imam Muhammad Musri, the president of the Islamic Society of Central Florida. (AP)
