A Muslim man waves a red and white Indonesian flag as he and his fellow protesters are engulfed in white smoke of tear gas fired by riot police officers during a protest against American-made film 鈥業nnocence of Muslims鈥� that ridicules Islam and depicts the Prophet Muhammad as a fraud, a womanizer and a madman, outside the US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday. AP
JAKARTA, Indonesia鈥擳he US has closed its diplomatic missions in Indonesia ahead of expected continuing protests over an anti-Islam film.
The American Embassy in Jakarta and consulate offices in Surabaya, Medan and Bali were closed Friday. The US Mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations also was shut.
Water cannons were deployed and spools of razor wire were rolled out in front of the embassy.
The embassy website warned that demonstrations could also focus on US businesses, especially fast food restaurants.
Large protests often follow Friday prayers in Indonesia. On Monday, a demonstration at the embassy turned violent when protesters hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails.
Muslims worldwide have been enraged over the American-produced film 鈥淚nnocence of Muslims,鈥� which denigrates the Prophet Muhammad.