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Islamic groups say an apology from two newspapers over the controversial Prophet Mohammed cartoons will help stave off repercussions to New Zealand's foreign trade.
The editors of The Dominion Post and The Press apologised on Wednesday for causing offence to Muslims by publishing the images and have promised not to re-print them.
Federation of Islamic Associations president Javad Khan believes the outcome will help stop any backlash from Muslim countries against New Zealand.
The editors say Wednesday's meeting between media and religious groups has helped the two sides understand each others position.
However, they say they cannot rule out publishing any controversial images in the future.
The editor of the Press Paul Thompson, says he was mindful of the reaction of readers and the potential impact on trade, but he says a newspaper can't decide to run stories based on what might happen to trade or diplomatic ties.
Meantime, United States President George Bush has urged governments around the world to quell the violent response to caricatures of the prophet Mohammed.
Angry protests have been held in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, Palestine and Iraq over the 12 satirical cartoons.
Muslim tradition prevents the publication of any image of the Prophet.
Bush says he is urging governments to be respectful, to protect property and the lives of innocent diplomats serving their countries overseas.
However, he has also warned that the media has a responsibility to be thoughtful.
His comments came as clashes between people angry over the cartoons and the police continued in Afghanistan.
Four people were killed and up to 20 injured in a protest by about 400 people in the Afghan town of Qalat.
The deaths bring to 11 the number of people killed in Afghan protests over the cartoons in recent days.
There have also been protests in Bangladesh where more than 1,000 people marched through the capital, Dhaka, and in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
The demonstrations happened as a French magazine became the latest publication to carry the controversial caricatures that originally appeared in a Danish paper last year.
