Logo Polskiego Radia

Diplomatic posts on alert after American embassy attacks

PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge 13.09.2012 13:01
UPDATE - As another American embassy comes under attack, this time in Yemen, Thursday, all Polish diplomatic posts in the region have been put on heightened security alert.

Yemeni
Yemeni protesters storm the US embassy during a protest against a film deemed insulting to the Prophet Mohammed, Sana'a: photo - EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

Following the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, in which the American ambassador was killed, Polish deputy foreign minister Jerzy Pomianowski said in a communiqué that the Polish embassy in Tripoli remains safe and that diplomatic staff are guarded by Polish Government Protection Office agents.

He noted, however, that the developments and general situation in Libya and the capitals in the region will continue to be carefully monitored, with crowds protesting at US posts in Tunisia and Egypt since Tuesday.

Deputy minister Pomianowski called on Libyan authorities to introduce stricter security measures in order to effectively protect all diplomatic missions and for punishment of the perpetrators of the bloody attack.

On Tuesday, the US ambassador and three other members of the American consulate in Benghazi were killed as a result of a heavy gunfire attack directed at the diplomatic post.

The shooting came amid rioting over a US-produced documentary that was deemed as insulting to the Prophet Mohammed.

President Barack Obama has pledged to “bring to justice” the gunmen responsible for the attack.

Anger over an American video, which allegedly insults the Prophet Muhammad. increased, Thursday, as protesters stormed the grounds of the American embassy in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

Security forces in Sanaa used tear gas, water cannon and live fire to drive back protesters and have now regained control, they say.

Meanwhile, Poland’s deputy foreign minister has conveyed condolences and expressed solidarity with the US government and families of the victims.

“We have lost a diplomat who contributed immensely to the support rendered Libyan transformations following the fall of the Gaddafi regime,” he said, referring to ambassador Christopher Stevens, killed during the assault.

“It is clearly inadmissible that people working hard for reconciliation and establishing cooperation between nations, fall victim to various forms of hatred and aggression,” Poland’s deputy foreign minister Jerzy Pomianowski stated emphatically.

Meanwhile, demonstrations occurred for the second day in a row outside the US embassy in Tunis, Tunisia. Some protesters carried jihadist flags, expressing outrage at the documentary film.

In Cairo security forces had to disperse crowds outside the US embassy on Wednesday evening using tear gas, after stones were thrown at the building.

Unrest is being reported on Thursday in Morocco, Sudan, Iraq and Tunisia, with protests expected in Pakistan against the video, the Innocence of Muslims, made by a small-time film maker, Sam Bacile. (ss/nh/pg)

Print
Copyright © Polskie Radio S.A About Us Contact Us