"Many Muslims are honorable": Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk Asscher does not think any differently about Muslims days after the attack on French satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo, reports newswire ANP.

"We know that there are Muslims who abuse their faith to commit crimes," he said earlier on Friday. "We also know that there are many Muslims who feel horrible" about it.

The Deputy Prime Minister says he also had an impactful meeting with journalists in the Netherlands, and repeated the government's message of solidarity with reporters, editors and publishers who speak out regardless of personal risk in doing so.

The Deputy Prime Minister attended Thursday's free speech rally in Amsterdam along with Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, Justice Minister Ivo Opstelten, Justice Secretary Fred Teeven and Education Minister Jet Bussemaker. Amsterdam Mayor Eberhard van der Laan also joined the national politicians.