Anti-Islam film sparks Egypt anger, fears of backlash
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Egyptian soldiers stand guard in front of the U.S. embassy in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, as part of widespread anger across the Muslim world about a film ridiculing Islam's Prophet Muhammad. -- PHOTO: AP
CAIRO (AFP) - Egyptian authorities on Wednesday called for restraint in the face of outrage over a film deemed offensive to Islam that has raised fears of renewed sectarian tensions.
The government denounced the film as "offensive and immoral" but called on Egyptians to exercise restraint in their reactions amid fears among members of the Coptic Christian minority of reprisals.
"The film is offensive to the Prophet and immoral," the cabinet said in a statement read by Prime Minister Hisham Qandil.
"We call on the great people of Egypt to exercise restraint when expressing their anger," it said.
