American film offensive to Islam sparks anti-US protests across Muslim world

Adding to the death of the American ambassador to Libya and members of his staff in Benghazi on September 11, demonstrations condemning a film that insulted the Prophet Muhammad have spread to Egypt, Yemen, Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, Tunisia, Sudan, Morocco, and Mauritania, leading to four deaths in Yemen. Other Western embassies have also been attacked in Sudan.

IBA reported that the film that was released on the Internet and sparked the protests is called "Innocence of Muslims," and was produced by a California-based Jewish writer and producer. Most of Mosaic's broadcasters have reported that he is an Israeli American, leading to further anti-US and anti-Israel sentiment among Muslims.

Israel quickly denounced the film, with New TV reporting on Wednesday that the Israeli Foreign Ministry called it "unbearable extremism." Press TV noted that US President Barack Obama condemned the killings, but stopped short of condemning the film.

In addition to depicting the prophet Muhammad, which is strictly taboo in many interpretations of Islam, the film struck a nerve in the Muslim and Arab worlds for being American-made. Al Jazeera English discusses the nature of the protests, touching on the deep-seated anger of some citizens in the region regarding US foreign policy, especially in the wake of the Arab Spring.

Syrians come out for another round of Friday protests after a week of heavy shelling

As the new UN-Arab League envoy Lakhdar Brahimi visits Damascus for the first time since his appointment, cities and villages across Syria have continued to endure heavy army shelling, especially in and around Aleppo and Damascus. Algerie TV reported that the most recent statistics from the UNHCR indicate the number of Syrian refugees has surpassed 250,000, with 85,000 currently in Jordan.

Despite the daily attacks, BBC Arabic reported that on Friday, anti-regime demonstrations took place across Daraa, Idlib, the countryside of Damascus-- which the Syrian government says still harbors "terrorists" that they are trying to pursue-- and al-Hasaka Province, which has a Kurdish majority.

Newly-elected Somali president escapes assassination attempt

Hassan Sheikh Mahmud, who hails from the same tribe as departing president Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, is the first Somali president to be elected within the country in more than two decades. However, BBC Arabic reported that just days after his election, he escaped two bombings that targeted the Mogadishu hotel in which he was residing. He was was meeting with Kenyan Foreign Minister Samson Ongeri at the time of the attack, which came as a surprise given the number of Somali and African Union forces protecting his hotel and convoy.

Image: Tunisian protesters burn the U.S. flag during a demonstration outside the U.S. embassy in Tunis September 12, 2012. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi

Morocco: The February 20 Movement renewed its rejection of what it describes as "sham reforms." The movement demands genuine political reforms that transform Morocco's controlled political process to one capable of producing the change demanded by the masses. The movement also renewed its demands for prosecuting corrupt officials and holding fair elections. In addition to the political demands, the movement raised slogans demanding social justice, freedom, and dignity.

Syria: The Syrian opposition is rallying its supporters to participate in a day of anger against Russia, as Moscow continues to support President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Following Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron, Medvedev stated that it is wrong to place additional pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and force him to end security operations. The Syrian opposition has called on supporters online to protest across Syrian cities and towns and to burn the Russian flag.

Libya: Fifteen people were killed in an attack by Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi's battalions on an oil facility near Ras Lanuf. The Libyan National Transitional Council announced that its fighters fended off the battalions' attack on Bani Walid, one of the final strongholds of Colonel Gaddafi's loyalists. The NTC forces began reinforcing their siege on the city of Sirte, also under Gaddafi's control.

Syria: The city of Hama is witnessing the bloodiest crackdown it has seen since unrest began in the country five months ago. While Syrian state media blames the violence on 'armed groups,' eyewitnesses say that Syrian army tanks stormed the city at dawn and began bombing houses. Reports indicate that over 100 have been killed in the crackdown since yesterday. Violence is also ongoing in Homs, Idlib, Deir az-Zour, and al-Bukamal.

Libya: New clashes in Misurata erupted between the revolutionaries and Muammar Gaddafi's battalions, killing over 30 revolutionaries and wounding 130. Meanwhile in Zlitan, revolutionaries managed to reach the city center despite significant resistance by Gaddafi forces. The clashes led to casualties on both sides. After months of seesaw battles, the small achievements made by the revolutionaries seem to be beginning to break the military stalemate in the country's crisis.

Egypt: At least 200 protestors have been injured during violent confrontations between Egyptian security forces and demonstrators camped out in Cairo's landmark Tahrir Square. The clashes erupted when security forces entered the square to disperse protestors who have been there for over three weeks. Witnesses say the troops fired into the air and used live ammunition in an attempt break up the demonstrations. Several of the 200 injured protestors are said to be in critical condition.

Morocco: The February 20 Movement and several Moroccan human rights organizations have criticized King Mohammed VI's speech marking allegiance day in the kingdom. During the speech, King Mohammed announced his plan to hold early elections. While the speech was hailed by loyalists as "a roadmap outlining the upcoming stage," the opposition says the speech was insufficient and doesn't mean that the country will enter a new democratic phase.

Morocco: The February 20 Movement condemned what it described as the policy of "deaf ears" adopted by the authorities in relation to the movement's demands. The movement organized the largest protests yet in the cities of Tangier and Casablanca to reiterate its rejection of the new constitution and demand a "democratic constitution devoted to the sovereignty of the people."

Syria: Protests continue throughout the country despite the Syrian cabinet's approval of a draft law that allows for the formation of political parties. The authorities described the draft law as "activating the multi-party political system." However, the opposition says that the law is a "sham solution" because Article 8 of the constitution stipulates that the Ba'ath Party is the country's ruling party.

Libya: Only 100 kilometers south of the capital Tripoli, Muammar Gaddafi's forces launched an attack on Gualish in an attempt to regain control of the town. The revolutionaries said they managed to repel Gaddafi's forces two kilometers from Gualish after dozens of fellow fighters arrived to support them from the city of Zintan, the revolutionaries' largest base in western Libya. Meanwhile, NATO continues to launch nightly raids on central Tripoli, which the government says is causing a heavy civilian death toll.

Egypt: In the midst of their current revolution, Egypt celebrated the anniversary of the July 23 Revolution, also known as the Revolution of the Free Officers, which abolished Egypt's constitutional monarchy and established a republic. More than 60 years later, the Egyptian people are once again challenging their government and demanding it be replaced with a civilian government free of corruption and oppression.

Yemen: Deputy Minister of Information Abdu al-Janadi says President Ali Abdullah Saleh will soon address the nation. Saleh will be interviewed by Saudi state television in Riyadh, where he has been staying for the past three weeks for medical treatment. The ruling Congress Party announced that Saleh will soon return to the country and that he plans to transfer his authorities to parliament and to form a coalition government to prepare for early elections. The opposition described the announcements as "a coup against the Gulf Initiative."

Libya: Libyan Justice Minister Mohamed al-Gamudi said that the International Criminal Court's decision to issue arrest warrants for Muammar Gaddafi, his son, and his intelligence chief is politically motivated and is being used as a cover-up for NATO's crimes. He vowed to prosecute members of NATO. The decision has prompted the opposition to reject any dialogue with the regime.

Syria: Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of Russia, Mikhail Margelov, met with the Syrian opposition's delegation in Moscow today. The delegation called on Russia to use its influence to push the Syrian regime to end the violence against peaceful protestors. Margelov urged Syria to implement real reforms and stated that Russia will do everything possible to prevent the Syrian crisis from descending into a Libya-style war.

Morocco: The February 20 Movement has once again taken to the streets, this time in protest of the constitutional amendments proposed by King Mohamed VI. They assert that the amendments do not sufficiently reduce the king's authority. While the amendments give the government executive authority, the king remains the head of the army and retains religious and judicial authority. The new constitution also maintains the king's right to appoint the prime minister.