September 17, 2005: Politiken, a Danish newspaper, reports that Kaare Bluitgen, a writer, cannot find an illustrator for a book about the life of Muhammad, because artists fear reprisals from Islamic extremists

September 30: In response, Jyllands-Posten, a right of centre newspaper, asks artists to draw Muhammad as they imagine him and publishes 12 cartoons of the prophet

October 14: Up to 5,000 people stage a protest outside the offices of Jyllands-Posten.

October 19: Ambassadors from ten Muslim countries request a meeting with Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the Danish Prime Minister, over the cartoons. He refuses to meet them

November-December: A delegation from Danish Islamic groups visit the Middle East to spread publicity about the cartoons. Rumours circulate and additional images, not originally published in Jyllands-Posten, are attributed to the newspaper

January 10, 2006: Cartoons reprinted by Magazinet, a Norwegian Christian newspaper

January 26: Saudi Arabia recalls its ambassador and initiates boycott of Danish goods

January 27: Thousands denounce the cartoons during Friday prayers in Iraq

January 28: The Denmark-based Arla Dairy Group places adverts in Middle Eastern newspapers to try to stop boycott of its produce

January 29: Jyllands-Posten prints a statement in Arabic saying the drawings were published in line with freedom of expression and not a campaign against Islam. Palestinians burn Danish flags and Libya announces it will close its embassy in Denmark. Danes told to be vigilant in the Middle East

January 30: EU says it will take World Trade Organisation action if the boycott persists. Masked gunmen in storm EU office in Gaza

January 31: Danish imams accept statements from Jyllands-Posten and the Prime Minister, and say are surprised at the extent of the protests. Saudi hospitals refuse to buy Danish insulin

February 1: Newspapers in Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands publish one or more of the cartoons. France Soir publishes all 12 and a new cartoon of its own. The editor is fired by the newspaper's French-Egyptian owner. Syria withdraws ambassador to Denmark

February 2: Gunmen repeat protests in Gaza. Mr Rasmussen appears on Al-Arabiya, a Saudi news network, to try and calm situation. The Jordanian newspaper Al-Shihan prints the drawings - the editor is sacked, and ordered to apologise. Peter Mandelson, the EU Trade Commissioner, says the boycott must end

February 3: The International Association of Muslim Scholars calls for a "day of anger" across the world. 50,000 protest in Gaza. Muslims outside the Danish Embassy in London call for execution of those who insult Islam. El Pais, Spain's leading newspaper, reprints a drawing, which shows the prophet made of words saying: "I must not draw Muhummad"

February 4: Mobs in Damascus attack the Norwegian, Danish, Swedish and French embassies but are beaten off by riot police. Protesters, including a man dressed as a suicide bomber, gather for a second day in London

February 5: Demonstrators set fire to the Danish Embassy in Beirut, overwhelming Lebanese security forces. A protester dies. America and Lebanon blame Syrians for the riot. The Lebanese Interior Minister offers his resignation. Around 4,000 protest in Aghanistan. Iran withdraws its ambassador from Copenhagen

February 6: Protester killed in Afghanistan as demonstrations take place in Kabul and the city of Mihtarlam. Crowds gather in Srinigar, the capital of Kashmir, and three cities in Indonesia. Pressure mounts in London to prosecute protesters for inciting violence

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