Anti-US protests continue in Muslim world over film

BEIJING - A new wave of protests and assaults against US diplomatic missions erupted in the Muslim world after Friday prayers, when people continued to vent their anger over an American film that was deemed an insult to Prophet Mohammed.

Protesters shout anti-US slogans during a protest against a film produced in the US that they said that was insulting to the Prophet Mohammad in Istanbul Sept 14, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

In central Cairo, clashes continued around the US embassy with hundreds of protesters hurling stones to the police. The Health Ministry said 27 people were injured, bringing the toll to 251 since protests erupted Tuesday.

The police have arrested 94 protesters and used teargas to disperse those surrounding the embassy, according to state TV.

Several Coptic movements also participated in the protests in central Cairo's Tahrir Square, carrying banners asking for criminalizing the acts of offending religions.

Protests also spread to the US consulate in Alexandria and the headquarters of international peacekeeping force in north Sinai.

At least four peacekeepers were injured when gunmen attacked the headquarters of the international peacekeeping force, a peacekeeping official told Xinhua.

Peacekeepers and militant protesters exchanged fire and protesters set one car and the camp's monitoring tower ablaze.

In Tunis, at least three protesters were killed in clashes, after a massive demonstration outside the US embassy in the country, the official TAP news agency said.

Meanwhile, TAP said some 20 people were injured in the clashes between security forces and protesters.

Some protesters managed to climb over a wall into the embassy and set a lot of cars ablaze. Heavy smoke was seen above the embassy, and security forces were seen firing rubber bullets and using teargas to disperse the crowd.

Ambulances and firefighters rushed to the scene to rescue the injured and put out the fire.

Some of the protesters, who gathered after the Friday prayers, told Xinhua that they want to force the US ambassador to Tunisia to come out and demand the release of the demonstrators who were arrested earlier.

Meanwhile, local witnesses said another group of angry youngsters also set ablaze an American school which is close to the US embassy in Tunis, causing heavy property damage.

In Lebanon's northern port city of Tripoli, at least one person was killed and 25 others injured in clashes between angry youngsters and security forces.

Protesters in front of a KFC restaurant hurled stones at security forces and set the restaurant on fire, the National News Agency reported.

A number of worshipers also gathered in Tripoli after Friday prayers, waving black flags and calling to expel the US ambassador to Lebanon.

Similar rallies were also held in Lebanon's cities of Taalabaya and Zahle following the prayers.

In the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, at least three people were killed as protesters tried to gain access to the US embassy there.

The three dead were reportedly all protesters who were hit by a police vehicle as they attempted to force their way into the US embassy.

Witnesses said nearly 10,000 protesters were heading to the US embassy, which had already been heavily guarded by Sudanese troops and police. Some US Marine soldiers were also seen protecting the embassy building.

On Friday, protests also hit Iran, Jordan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama vowed to "stand fast" against the recent wave of violence targeting American diplomatic missions.

Addressing a home-coming ceremony held at the Andrews Air Force Base near Washington DC for the remains of four Americans killed on Tuesday night in the Libyan city of Benghazi, the solemn-faced president said: "Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. We will bring to justice those who took them from us."

"We will stand fast against the violence on our diplomatic missions," he added, pledging to "continue to do everything in our power" to protect Americans serving overseas.