London: A London-based website has removed a controversial film on Quran, citing threats to its staff.

LiveLeak.com said in a statement on Friday that the threats it received were of a “very serious nature”.

Dutch filmmaker Geert Wilders' 15-minute film Fitna (strife) remains posted on several other websites. The Dutch prime minister has voiced concern about a backlash.

"The possibilities are there of real threats," Prime Minister Jan Beter Balkanende said. "I have already warned Dutch people that there could be enormous consequences.”

The film has already sparked rallies in Pakistan. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned it on Friday, calling it "offensively anti-Islamic" while urging calm.