Saturday, September 15, 2012

Anti-American fury over film spreads

Capital cities and other cities in North Africa and the Middle East where protests against an anti-Islam film have broken out.
Capital cities and other cities in North Africa and the Middle East where protests against an anti-Islam film have broken out.
  • NEW: Filmmaker Nakoula Basseley Nakoula is being questioned by federal officials
  • NEW: The Taliban says it attacked a NATO base in retaliation for the film
  • Australian police use tear gas and dogs to disperse protesters in Sydney, officials say

(CNN) -- The fury over an anti-Islam film that targeted American diplomatic missions has spread to include a number of other Western facilities in the Muslim world, raising the specter Saturday of a widening protest.

Attacks on German and British embassies in Sudan, the ransacking of an American school in Tunisia, a fire at a U.S.-based fast-food restaurant in Lebanon and attacks against multi-national peacekeepers in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula were among the latest targets in protests that turned violent.

Top Western diplomats warned leaders in countries where the unrest has been most pronounced to ensure the protection of its missions and its people.

"I am following the unfolding events with grave concern and call on national authorities in all countries concerned to swiftly ensure the security of diplomatic mission and protect diplomatic staff," Catherine Ashton, the European Union foreign affairs chief, said in a statement.

"It is vitally important leaders across the affected regions should call immediately for peace and restraint."

Slain ambassador returns
Inside the U.S. consulate in Benghazi
Possible security leak in Libya
A desk inside the burnt U.S. Consulate building in Benghazi, Libya, on Thursday, September 13, two days after an attack on the building in which the U.S. ambassador and three other U.S. nationals were killed. The attack came as protesters outside the compound rallied against a movie that unflatteringly portrays Islam's Prophet Mohammed. Photos: Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildingsA desk inside the burnt U.S. Consulate building in Benghazi, Libya, on Thursday, September 13, two days after an attack on the building in which the U.S. ambassador and three other U.S. nationals were killed. The attack came as protesters outside the compound rallied against a movie that unflatteringly portrays Islam's Prophet Mohammed. Photos: Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings
The damage inside the burnt U.S. Consulate in Benghazi on Thursday.The damage inside the burnt U.S. Consulate in Benghazi on Thursday.
A lounge chair and umbrella float in the swimming pool of the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi on Thursday.A lounge chair and umbrella float in the swimming pool of the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi on Thursday.
Demonstrators on Wednesday, September 12, gather in Libya to condemn the killers and voice support for the victims in the attack on the U.S. Consulate. Demonstrators on Wednesday, September 12, gather in Libya to condemn the killers and voice support for the victims in the attack on the U.S. Consulate.
U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement about the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Rose Garden at the White House on Wednesday in Washington. U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement about the death of Ambassador Chris Stevens with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Rose Garden at the White House on Wednesday in Washington.
A burnt vehicle is seen at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Wednesday. A burnt vehicle is seen at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Wednesday.
People inspect the damage at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Wednesday.People inspect the damage at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on Wednesday.
A small American flag is seen in the rubble at the U.S. Consulate on Wednesday.A small American flag is seen in the rubble at the U.S. Consulate on Wednesday.
President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stand at Andrews Air Force Base as the bodies of the four Americans killed at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi are returned.President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stand at Andrews Air Force Base as the bodies of the four Americans killed at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi are returned.
A man stands in part of the burned-out compound Wednesday. A man stands in part of the burned-out compound Wednesday.
Smoke and fire damage is evident in this consulate building.Smoke and fire damage is evident in this consulate building.
Half-burnt debris and ash cover the floor of one of the consulate buildings.Half-burnt debris and ash cover the floor of one of the consulate buildings.
The U.S. Consulate in Benghazi is seen in flames Tuesday, September 11.The U.S. Consulate in Benghazi is seen in flames Tuesday, September 11.
A protester reacts as the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi burns Tuesday night. A protester reacts as the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi burns Tuesday night.
A vehicle and the surrounding area are engulfed in flames after it was set on fire inside the compound Tuesday.A vehicle and the surrounding area are engulfed in flames after it was set on fire inside the compound Tuesday.
Flames erupt outside of a building in the U.S. consulate compound on Tuesday.Flames erupt outside of a building in the U.S. consulate compound on Tuesday.
A vehicle burns during the attack Tuesday on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.A vehicle burns during the attack Tuesday on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.
Onlookers record the damage from the attack on Tuesday.Onlookers record the damage from the attack on Tuesday.
Onlookers walk past a burning truck and building in the compound on Tuesday.Onlookers walk past a burning truck and building in the compound on Tuesday.
A vehicle sits smoldering in flames on Tuesday.A vehicle sits smoldering in flames on Tuesday.
People duck flames outside a consulate building on Tuesday. Photos: Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildingsPeople duck flames outside a consulate building on Tuesday. Photos: Protesters storm U.S. Embassy buildings
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
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Attack on the U.S. Consulate in LibyaAttack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya
Protest targets German embassy in Sudan
America's mixed message to Egypt
The search for the Benghazi attackers
Egyptians demand apology from Obama
Libya struggling to deal with militants
Does U.S. need to up security abroad?

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took it one step further, warning that the United States would take action to protect its diplomatic facilities if the countries in question did not stop the violence and seek justice for the attacks.

"Reasonable people and responsible leaders in these countries need to do everything they can to restore security and hold accountable those behind these violent acts," she said Friday.

"And we will ... keep taking steps to protect our personnel around the world."

From Morocco to Malaysia, thousands of Muslims have taken to the streets in recent days -- with sometimes deadly results -- over the release of a 14-minute trailer, privately produced in the United States, that mocks the Prophet Mohammed as a womanizer, child molester and ruthless killer.

Despite the firm condemnation by U.S. government officials, some in the Muslim world -- especially those raised in regimes in which the government must authorize any film production -- cannot accept that a movie like "Innocence of Muslims" can be produced without being sanctioned by Washington, said Council of Foreign Relations scholar Ed Husain.

"They're projecting ... their experience, their understanding (that) somehow the U.S. government is responsible for the actions of a right-wing fellow," said Husain, a senior fellow at the New York think thank.

The demonstrations, notably, haven't all been violent and the protesters represent only a fraction of their respective nations' populations: A few thousands, for example, clashed with security forces outside the U.S. embassy in Cairo, in a city of more than 18 million people.

But protests that have turned violent have led to a number of deaths -- including those of the U.S. ambassador to Libya and three other Americans killed in an attack Tuesday in Benghazi, Libya.

At least six people were killed and dozens wounded in the clashes across the Muslim world that followed.

Protesters, police clash in Australia

Australia became the latest nation to cope with protests as hundreds of demonstrators clashed with police Saturday outside the U.S. consulate in Sydney.

Carrying signs that read: "Obama, Obama, we like Osama" and "Behead All Those Who Insult the Prophet," protesters gathered on the steps of the consulate.

The demonstration turned violent after protesters were pushed back from the building by police.

Authorities used tear gas and police dogs to disperse protesters who threw bottles and shoes -- considered a grave insult among Muslims, according to witnesses and police video.

At least four people were injured, including a police officer who was hit in the face with a bottle, according to witnesses and authorities.

Here's a breakdown of events Saturday around the globe:

--In Egypt's northern Sinai, a large number of security forces backed by tanks regained control of a base housing an international peacekeeping force that was breached Friday by Islamist militants, state-run EGYnews reported Saturday.

The militants carrying automatic weapons burned trucks and a watch tower on the base. The armed clashes injured at least four troops and an Islamist Bedouin.

The 1,500-troop mission has supervised the security of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty since 1979.

--In the Egyptian capital of Cairo, large numbers of police were patrolling the streets following clashes shortly after dawn Saturday between protesters and plain-clothes security officers.

--In Afghanistan, the Taliban claimed responsibility for an attack on a joint U.S.-British base in Helmand province that left two U.S. troops dead, saying the attack was in response to the film. The attack follows a call by the Taliban on its fighters to take revenge for the film by increasing assaults on NATO troops.

--In Tunisia, authorities warned Saturday the death toll may climb following Friday's attack on the U.S. Embassy in Tunis that left two dead.

"This initial toll might get worse as two of the wounded people are in critical condition," the state-run TAP news agency reported.

--In Sudan's capital, Khartoum, the German and British embassies shored up their security after protesters managed to get inside a compound that is shared by both diplomatic missions, according to the foreign ministers of both nations.

Warnings about the online movie

Days before violent protests Tuesday in Egypt, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo was warned by the U.S. intelligence community of concerns about the anti-Islam film that sparked the uproar, a U.S. official told CNN on condition of anonymity.

The cable sent to the embassy did not mention a specific threat. It only warned about the existence of the online movie and the fact that it was gaining attention.

U.S. authorities have discounted as false a producer's claims to news outlets that the filmmaker was an Israeli who made the movie with financing from more than 100 Jewish donors. Israel's government denies that the film's maker is Israeli.

The filmmaker, identified as Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, was being questioned early Saturday morning by federal probation officials. The questioning comes hours after federal officials said they were reviewing his probation in connection with a 2009 bank fraud conviction.

Nakoula was escorted by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies shortly after midnight, sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said. The filmmaker left his house willingly in order to be interviewed, he said.

CNN's Amanda Watts, Jessica King, Ben Wedeman, Hamdi Alkhshali and Elise Labott contributed to this report.

 
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