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Agencies

Protests against a film denigrating Islam eased in the Middle East but surfaced in Australia as Washington said it was deploying forces to cope with violence in as many as 18 different locations.
In Afghanistan, two United States marines were killed when insurgents stormed a heavily fortified air base where Britain's Prince Harry was stationed.
Taliban militia cited the film as the motive behind the late Friday attack.
In the US, filmmaker Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, 55, who is linked to the film, was interviewed by federal probation officers at a Los Angeles station.
Federal officials have said they were investigating the activities of Nakoula, who has been convicted of financial crimes. If the probation department determines that Nakoula violated terms of his release, a judge could return him to jail.
In Sydney yesterday, shoppers looked on in surprise as protesters shouted "Down, down USA" and waved banners such as "Behead all those who insult the prophet" and "Obama, Obama, we love Osama".
"We are sick and tired of everyone mocking our beloved prophet," a protester said, as the crowd of about 500 gathered outside the US consulate.
"They have no right to mock our prophet. We don't go around mocking anyone's religion."
Protesters were pushed back from the steps outside the consulate by police, who then used capsicum spray, provoking anger among some in the crowd, many of whom had brought their children with them. Six police officers were injured, including two who were sent to a hospital. Two protesters were treated for police dog bites and 17 others for the effects of pepper spray.
Clashes in Cairo's Tahrir Square stopped after Egypt's main Islamist groups called for calm. Police secured the square and arrested 220 people, the country's Interior Ministry said.
In Tunis, where smoke billowed from the US embassy yesterday, a high-security presence deterred protesters from taking to the streets.
At least six protesters have died in Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon and Sudan in similar protests on Friday, with police there battling to defend US missions from mobs of stone-throwers.
The Yemen-based branch of al Qaeda urged Muslims to step up protests and kill more US diplomats, while in Somalia, the Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militia called for attacks on Western targets. The Pakistani Taliban also issued a similar call.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said Washington was configuring its forces to be able to cope with widespread violence following its deployment of Marine counter-terrorism units to Libya and Yemen and its stationing of two destroyers off the North African coast.
"We have to be prepared in the event that these demonstrations get out of control," Panetta told Foreign Policy magazine.
He did not offer any specifics.
In Hong Kong, about 50 representatives from Muslim groups met yesterday afternoon to plan a peaceful gathering for next Sunday at Chater Garden in Central.
"We want to tell people that the prophet Muhammad is about peace and respect for other religions and we all agreed that we will not take any violent action," said Chief Imam Muhammad Arshad of Kowloon Mosque.
Agence France-Presse, Bloomberg, Associated Press


Anti-Islam film triggers protests against US in Australia

Muslim protesters rallying against a US film mocking their religion clash with Australian police in Sydney yesterday. Photo: Reuters

Cleaners clear rubbish from Cairo's Tahrir Square. Photo: Reuters

US filmmaker Nakoula Basseley Nakoula under police escort. Photo: Reuters

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Middle East protests ease but US moves to strengthen security in 18 different locations


Anti-Islam film triggers protests against US in Australia

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Middle East protests ease but US moves to strengthen security in 18 different locations

Middle East protests ease but US moves to strengthen security in 18 different locations