Hezbollah leader says Islamic extremists insulted Prophet Muhammad more than any cartoons

Hezbollah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah speaks via video to his supporters in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Friday Jan. 9, 2015. The leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah group said Islamic extremists have insulted the prophet of Islam with their terror more than those who published drawings mocking him. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla) (The Associated Press)

The leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah group says Islamic extremists have insulted Islam and the Prophet Muhammad more than those who published satirical cartoons mocking the religion.

Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah did not directly mention the Paris attack on the offices of Charlie Hebdo that left 12 people dead, but he said Islamic extremists who behead and slaughter people — a reference to the IS group's rampages in Iraq and Syria — have done more harm to Islam than anyone else in history.

Nasrallah spoke Friday via video link to supporters gathered in southern Beirut.

Nasrallah's Shiite group is fighting in Syria alongside President Bashar Assad.

His remarks are in stark contrast to those of Sunni militants from the IS group and al-Qaida who have called for attacks on Western countries.