Παρασκευή 14 Σεπτεμβρίου 2012

Protests spread against US over anti-Islamic film


Pakistani soldiers hold back Muslim protesters shouting anti-US slogans as they attempt to reach the US embassy during a demonstration against the anti-Islam film in Islamabad.


Here's a summary of events so far today:

Protests

• Anti-US protests, sparked by a controversial film which insulted Islam, have spread to more countries. Protests have been reported today in Iraq, Iran, Indonesia, Qatar, Kashmir, Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Sudan and Afghanistan.

Libya

• The authorities say they have four made arrests in the investigation into the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi that left US ambassador Chris Stevens and three state department staff dead. Residents in Benghazi are sceptical of Tripoli's commitment to tackle extremists behind the attack.


• Airspace over Benghazi was closed for ten hours as FBI investigators and US marines were due to arrive. The city's airport was closed for security reasons, an official said.
• Ansar al-Sharia, the militant group widely believed to be behind the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, is to be disbanded, according to the Libya Herald. The group has denied responsibility for the attack.

Yemen

• Police fired teargas, water cannon and shots into the air to stop protesters reaching the US Embassy. On Thursday four people were killed and dozens of protesters and guards injured after protesters stormed the embassy compound.

Egypt

• The Muslim Brotherhood said it cancelled planned protests over the film after urging its supporters to take to part in peaceful protests. The call came too late to prevent anti-US demonstrations in Tahrir Square.
• Security near the US embassy in Cairo has been stepped up after a third night of violence. The security forces erected a concrete wall in the area in effort to protect the building.

Protests in Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Sudan

Protests are reported today in Indonesia, Iraq and Iran – though most of them seem to be small.
• Indonesia: About 200 people held a largely peaceful protest outside the heavily guarded US embassy in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. AP says they waved black flags and held signs that read: "America has to be responsible for Islamophobia worldwide."
• Iraq: "Hundreds" of supporters of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council demonstrated in Baghdad, according to the Iraqi News website. A similar protest was reported in the southern city of Basra.
• Iran: Fars News reports further protests in Tehran today, following the demonstration yesterday outside the Swiss embassy (which represents US interests in Iran). EA Worldview adds that Ayatollah Jannati, the head of the Guardian Council, denounced the anti-Muslim film during Friday prayers.
• Sudan: Reuters cites a witness saying that police have fired teargas to disperse protesters trying to storm the German and British embassies in Khartoum.
• Bahrain: The interior ministry has called upon citizens and residents"to not contribute in the spreading of the film by circulating it through social medial". Children should be protected from the film too, it says.

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