Ahmadinejad denounces anti-Islam movie, extremism

"Fundamentally, first of all, any action that is provocative, offends the religious thoughts and feelings of any people, we condemn," Ahmadinejad said.

He was speaking through a translator in an interview that aired Monday on CNN's 'Piers Morgan Tonight'.

"Likewise, we condemn any type of extremism. Of course, what took place was ugly. Offending the Holy Prophet is quite ugly. This has very little or nothing to do with freedom and freedom of speech. This is the weakness of and the abuse of freedom, and in many places it is a crime," he said.

"It shouldn't take place, and I do hope the day will come in which politicians will not seek to offend those whom others hold holy," Ahmadinejad said.

US-privately produced movie 'Innocence of Muslims' has triggered widespread protests in the Muslim world.

In Libya, protests led to an attack on the US consulate that left US ambassador Christopher Stevens and three others Americans dead.

"We also believe that this must also be resolved in a humane atmosphere, in a participatory environment, and we do not like anyone losing their lives or being killed for any reason, anywhere in the world," the Iranian president said.

Check latest news on the go with your mobile device