International response to Innocence of Muslims protests

We ask the American government to take a firm position towards this film's producers within the framework of international charters that criminalise acts that stir strife on the basis of race, color or religion.

[3] It added that the President had instructed Egyptian Embassy in the U.S. to "take possible legal action to respond to those persons who seek to sabotage the relations and dialogue between peoples and nations.

"[8] Meanwhile, one Muslim Brotherhood spokesman defended its rhetoric, saying they balanced anger at the film with urging restraint, while its strategist, Khairat el-Shater wrote a letter to the NY Times, explaining that "Despite our resentment of the continued appearance of productions like the anti-Muslim film that led to the current violence, we do not hold the American government or its citizens responsible for acts of the few that abuse the laws protecting freedom of expression.

"[7] The Islamic institution of Dar al-Ifta' al-Libiyya, headed by Libya's Grand Mufti Al-Sadiq al-Ghiryani, issued a statement strongly condemning the attacks on the US diplomats and Libyan forces,[20] citing a hadith by the Islamic prophet Muhammad, "Whoever killed a Mu'ahid (a person who is granted the pledge of protection by the Muslims) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of forty years (of traveling)".

The statement added that the President instructed officials to "conduct an expeditious and thorough investigation into today's events" and confirmed that the perpetrators "will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

Congressmen, including Rand Paul, Tom McClintock, and Jeff Landry, asked that aid to Egypt and Libya be halted or cut.

Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Joe Lieberman stated: "[W]e cannot give in to the temptation to believe that our support for the democratic aspirations of people in Libya, Egypt, and elsewhere in the broader Middle East is naive or mistaken.

We cannot resign ourselves to the false belief that the Arab Spring is doomed to be defined not by the desire for democracy and freedom that has inspired millions of people to peaceful action, but by the dark fanaticism of terrorists."

Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy.

[43] The editorial board of the Denver Post noted that Romney's critique of the embassy's statement was "out [of] line," but also stated: "This country cannot allow extremists anywhere to dictate what Americans speak, write, draw or film ...

[45] Imam Mohamed Magid, the president of the Islamic Society of North America, an umbrella organisation of regional Muslims, condemned the violence at a news conference standing alongside a Baptist minister, a rabbi, and Ali Aujali, the Libyan ambassador to the U.S.

"[46] Law professor Jack Balkin elaborated upon this point in an interview with The Atlantic: "Some Egyptians and Libyans think that any products of the U.S. media that make it to their countries have at least tacit U.S. government approval.

[49] Gulf Cooperation Council – GCC Secretary-General Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani released a statement that said: "This film cannot be accepted or excused as it abuses the feelings of Muslims and non-Muslims who reject insulting prophets, religions and beliefs."

The secretary-general also "condemned acts of violence against US embassies in some countries," adding that "our anger ... is no excuse to such carry out such attacks that only serve the low and suspicious aims of those who produced it.

High Representative for Foreign Affairs Baroness Ashton condemned the attacks in "strongest possible terms" and urged "the Libyan authorities to work tirelessly to bring those responsible for these killings to justice.

[53] Bahrain – The Bahraini government condemned the film and called upon the Organisation of Islamic Conference "take a strong stand against these heinous acts which fuel sedition".

[62] Afghanistan(Islamic Republic) – With respect to a film mocking the Prophet Mohammed The office of President Hamid Karzai issued a statement in which it "strongly and resolutely denounces this desecrating act and declares its serious abhorrence in the face of such an insult.

[76] Argentina – President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner said that she and the Argentine people condemned the attacks, and she deeply regrets the death of Ambassador Stevens.

"We are shocked and dismayed by the disregard for life and this overt and violent display of intransigence by a fanatical minority towards the principles of freedom of expression and sovereignty, tenets that we hold so dear," Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell said in a statement.

[79] Canada – Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird issued a statement condemning the attack and urging "Libyan officials to ensure the extremists responsible are brought to swift justice.

The Panamanian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned this kind of actions, which "cause mourning and pain to a friend country," adding the diplomatic missions in the world should be protected by local authorities.

"The [Paraguayan] Ministry of Foreign Relations, while reiterating its most forceful rejection of these acts of violence and intolerance, asks ... Libya to impose a just punishment on those responsible.

He also called Ambassador Stevens a "friend to Australia" and noted that "Libya is a country finding its way out of the wreckage of decades of dictatorship, and struggling with the challenges of rogue militia and Gaddafi sympathisers.

[94] France – Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius condemned the "shocking" attacks in Benghazi and extended condolences to the family and friends of the victims as well to the American people.

He also told that France wants the Libyan government to shed full light on these "heinous crimes" and to take measures to ensure the protection of diplomatic missions and personnel in their territory.

"[95] Germany – Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle condemned the attacks in "the strongest possible terms" and noted that "Yesterday's events in Cairo and Benghazi make abundantly clear what religious fanaticism can lead to.

Foreign Minister János Martonyi also sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, expressing the deepest condolences and sympathies of the Hungarian Government and the people of Hungary.

[100] Russia – Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov sent a telegram to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, saying he was "shocked by the tragic deaths" of the ambassador and the other diplomats, and asked her to convey his country's condolences to the victims families.

The director of the ministry's information policy department, Oleh Voloshyn said that "This awful crime, unfortunately, once again shows that the real security situation in Libya is far from what the international community tried to achieve through its actions against the country,".

"[12] Holy See – Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi issued a statement that read: "The serious consequences of unjustified offence and provocations against the sensibilities of Muslim believers are once again evident."