Pastor Terry Jones may decide not to go ahead with a planned burning of Qur’ans on Saturday, the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, if the White House, the Pentagon or the State Department asks him not to according to American newspaper USA Today.

Mr Jones, who has a congreration of just 50 in Gainsville Florida, says that he has not yet been contacted by the authorities. He said if he did receive a call “that would cause us to definitely think it over. That's what we're doing now. I don't think a call from them is something we would ignore.” He has been visited by the FBI according to USA Today.

Earlier on Thursday President Barack Obama said the planned torching of the Muslim holy book would boost recruitment for al-Qaeda.

The pastor's plans have received condemnation from both inside and outside the United States. The issue comes as tension in the United States had already risen over plans to build an Islamic centre close to Ground Zero.