Jean-Franois Lise won't apologize for comments that sparked threats against Alexandre Cloutier

Jean-Franois Lise is offering no apologies for the hostile tone of the PartiQubcoisleadershiprace, despite directly contributing to it.

On Friday, Lise cited a Facebook post from the Collectif qubcois contre l'islamophobie, an anti-Islamophobia group headed by controversial Muslim leaderAdil Charkaoui, as proof that Cloutier had Charkaoui's support.

Cloutier says that comment triggered a barrage of hateful messagesand called for an apology. His campaign is now beingmonitoredby police.

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Speaking after a debate in SaguenayonSunday, Lise said the race's"decibel level" was too high, but didn't apologize.

"I am not asking for apologies and I am not offering any. I am turning the page," he said.

Cloutier said he would've preferred an apology, although he said he was ready to let the matter go.But he later said he was still in shock over Lise's attacks.

Cloutier has said being linked to Charkaoui was "the harshest and most ill-founded attack" he's experienced in his 10-year political career.

Sylvain Gaudreault, the party's interim leader,issued a call for calm Friday ahead of the new National Assembly session, which begins Tuesday.

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