K.M. Chaudary, The Associated Press    Pakistani Christians burn an effigy of Pastor Terry Jones in Lahore, Pakistan, on Thursday to condemn his small Gainesville, Fla., church's plan to burn copies of the Quran. ss

Associated Press

The leader of a small Florida church that espouses anti-Islam philosophy says he is canceling plans to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11.

Pastor Terry Jones said Thursday that he decided to cancel his protest because the leader of a planned Islamic Center near ground zero has agreed to move its controversial location. The agreement couldn't be immediately confirmed.

Jones' plans to burn Islam's holiest text Saturday sparked an international outcry.

President Barack Obama, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan and several Christian leaders had urged Jones to reconsider his plans. They said his actions would endanger U.S. soldiers and provide a strong recruitment tool for Islamic extremists. Jones' protest also drew criticism from religious and political leaders from across the Muslim world.

Antonio Gonzalez of The Associated Press wrote this report.