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Photo: DPA

Germany boosts security at embassies after riots

Published: 14 Sep 12 12:24 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20120914-44971.html

Germany’s foreign ministry said on Friday it had stepped up security at its diplomatic missions in the Muslim world, in the wake of violent protests sparked by a film mocking Islam that was released on the internet.

“We Germans are of course worried about our representatives in the affected countries,” Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said on broadcaster ARD’s Morgenmagazin programme.

He added that not only had security measures been bolstered at embassies and consulates in Islamic countries, but soldiers stationed in Afghanistan had also been ordered to be more alert.

What exactly had been done to improve security remains a secret though, the ministry said. They confirmed that, at this point, they knew of no protest action aimed at German outposts.

The heightened measures came after the US ambassador to Libya was killed and three others injured when the consulate was attacked in the city of Benghazi Tuesday.

A further four people were killed at the US embassy in Yemen on Thursday, after similar attacks, while some 220 people were injured in anti-US protests in Cairo.

The protests began after the video - an amateurish film denigrating the Prophet Mohammed allegedly linked to evangelical and Coptic Christians in the United States - was released.

Demonstrations have spread across the Middle East, and to Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Israel and the Gaza Strip, Kuwait, Sudan and Tunisia.

The White House said security had been tightened at US diplomatic missions around the globe.

Der Spiegel also reported that other German institutions and aid organisation offices had been advised to do more to protect their staff.

Westerwelle called for calm in a speech in Berlin. "We share the condemnation and criticism of the video and its intention to provoke religious feelings, but that can never be an excuse for violence and murder," he said.

DPA/AFP/The Local/jcw

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

13:38 September 14, 2012 by WAMädel
Does anyone realize that the producer of the film is Egyptian-born and is also an ex-convict? Sometimes I think people are just looking for a "legit" reason to protest that won't get them killed by their tyrranical gov't and the US is the most acceptable target.
13:51 September 14, 2012 by Englishted
Westerwelle speak for yourself ,I have no problem with mocking any religion,and find it far better than killing others who disagree with me .
15:00 September 14, 2012 by The-ex-pat
13:38 September 14, 2012 by WAMädel

Does anyone realize that the producer of the film is Egyptian-born and is also an ex-convict?

Now that is a small snippet that the news have kept quiet about.........................?
15:21 September 14, 2012 by zeddriver
Funny how the religion of peace can't seem to peacefully handle ANY criticism nor anyone one that does not believe. Yet they always mock and criticize others. Gee! Do I detect a slight double standard.
16:11 September 14, 2012 by Berlin fuer alles
Stupid movie anyway. I watched a bit of it on youtube and it totally lacks any merit. Bad acting and in no way a possible oscar nominee. At least the "Life of Brian" was funny and didn't cause Christians to attack embassies. At least not that I am aware of anyway.
21:17 September 14, 2012 by zeddriver
@ Berlin fuer alles

I remember when that movie came out. There was an uproar from some Christians and some tried to get it banned. But! That's as far as it went. People "stated" their disapproval then moved on. None of the pythons were attacked nor did they receive death threats.
00:14 September 15, 2012 by Anee-One
Comment removed by The Local for breach of our terms.
03:07 September 16, 2012 by mos101392
I only hope when the drones come-the guilty aren't having breakfast with their babies. The maker of this video deserves an academy award not for the quality of his video, but the attention and hopefully all aid withdrawn from the Arab world. They played right into his hand. Since the maker is only down the road from me here in Calif, maybe i'll pay him for another video. Let see if The Local will delete another opinion different from their own. I will copy this just incase big bro deletes it and repost again and again!
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