Australia probes taunts about Muslim protesters

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian military officials said on Wednesday they were investigating reports that former or serving personnel may have posted messages on Facebook about shooting Muslim protesters.

The Australian Defence Force said it was probing the comments, which were prompted by a violent protest in Sydney earlier this month against a crude film made in the United States that insults the prophet Muhammad.

The comments reportedly made reference to using machine guns on those involved in the clash with police, with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reporting one person as saying: "Give me a M4 (rifle) and send (me) to Sydney." "Could add a new meaning to Clean Up Australian day," another added.

Another cited by the ABC said: "What I would given to drop the legs on a MAG 58 (machine gun), slap on a 500 round belt, adopt a stable firing position in the middle of the street and lay waste to every single one of those cancerous (redacted)."