Clinton condemns 'disrespectful' burn-Quran plan

US diplomatic chief Hillary Clinton condemned late Tuesday a Florida pastor's "disrespectful" and "disgraceful" plans to burn hundreds of Qurans on the anniversary of 9/11.

"I am heartened by the clear, unequivocal condemnation of this disrespectful, disgraceful act that has come from American religious leaders of all faiths, from evangelical Christians to Jewish rabbis, as well as secular US leaders and opinion-makers," Clinton said.

"Our commitment to religious tolerance goes back to the very beginning of our nation," she added as she hosted an iftar meal at the State Department to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Her comments made Clinton the highest-ranking US official to express concern over the incendiary move by a group of American evangelicals that military leaders warn could trigger outrage around the Islamic world and endanger the lives of US soldiers.

Clinton's spokesman Philip Crowley earlier denounced Florida pastor Terry Jones's plans to mark Saturday's ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks by burning KQurans as "provocative" and "un-American."

"We would like to see more Americans stand up and say that this is inconsistent with our American values," he added.

"The potential act of burning a Quran... is contrary to our values, contrary to how civil society has emerged in the country."

The small Florida church's planned open-air burning ceremony triggered a wave of concern and condemnation from military leaders that the incendiary move could spark outrage around the Islamic world and endanger the lives of US soldiers.

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