Mohammed cartoon: France to close schools, embassies in 20 countries

In a bid to avoid a replica of diplomatic rows between Islamic countries and the USA, France will close some of its institution in 20 countries over a cartoon of the Muslim prophet.

France has announced plans to temporarily close its schools and embassies in 20 countries on Friday, after a French Magazine published Prophet Mohammed cartoons on Wednesday.

A French magazine, Charlie Hebdo, hit newsstands with its magazine cover showing an Orthodox Jew pushing a turbaned figure it called Mohammed on a wheelchair.

Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, announced he had ordered special security measures “in all the countries where this could pose a problem”.

The French foreign ministry anticipates a hostile reaction to a magazine’s publication after Friday prayers in Muslim countries that are already incensed by a film which they say violates Islam.