French Mag. Runs Cartoons Mocking Muhammad; France Closes 20 Embassies, Fears Muslim Furor

A French satirical magazine today (September 19, 2012) published a series of cartoons mocking the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, setting off a new wave of outrage among Muslims and condemnation from French leaders amid widening unrest over an amateur video that has provoked violence throughout the Islamic world, according to the New York Times website.

The illustrations -- some of which depict Muhammad naked and in a wheelchair -- hit newsstands across the country today and were met with a swift rebuke from the government of Francois Hollande, which had earlier urged the magazine, "Charlie Hebdo," not to publish the cartoons, particularly in the current tense environment.

"In France, there is a principle of freedom of expression, which should not be undermined," Laurent Fabius, the foreign minister, said in a French radio interview.

In the interview on France Info Radio, Fabius announced that -- as a precaution of Muslim violence -- France planned to close its embassies in 20 countries on Friday (September 21), the Muslim day of prayer, which has become an occasion for many to express their anger, although "no threats have been made against any institutions." A French Foreign Ministry spokesman said the closings would affect French consulates, cultural centers, and schools as well.