Protests continue over anti-Islam film

BEIJING - Muslims worldwide continued Saturday to protest against an American film that was deemed an insult to Prophet Mohammed.

In central Sydney, Australia, hundreds of Muslims gathered to protest against the controversial film.

Local police deployed dogs and capsicum spray to disperse the crowd, and the demonstrations turned violent. At least one injured protester was seen to be taken away by ambulance when shouting "Allahu Akbar (God is great)".

In Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, students took to the streets, chanting anti-US and anti-Israel slogans and waving placards and banners to denounce the film.

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 number to 251 since protests erupted Tuesday.

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

The 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.

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.

In Lebanon's northern port city of Tripoli, at least one person was killed and 25 others were 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.