Protesters Attack Three Embassies in Sudan

Protesters in Sudan's capital marched on three Western embassies Friday as part of the spreading demonstrations against an anti-Muslim film.

Thousands of protesters stormed the German and British embassies soon after Friday prayers ended in Khartoum's Grand Mosque. They broke into the German building, where they set fires and raised a black Islamic flag.

Later, many protesters moved to the U.S. embassy, where they clashed with riot police trying to hold them back with batons and tear gas. Various sources say at least one protester outside the U.S. embassy was killed.

Ismail Kushkush, a reporter for VOA's Sudan Project, says the embassy denied reports that some protesters got into the compound.

"I spoke earlier to the press officer at the U.S. embassy, according to him, the protesters were about 1,000," Kushkush said. "There may have been a few attempts to try to storm the embassy,but they did not succeed."

Kushkush said protesters blocked a highway next to the embassy with burning tires and rocks, but were dispersing by late Friday afternoon.



The German foreign ministry says all staff members at its embassy are safe and accounted for.

In a televised address Friday, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle condemned the film that triggered this week's protests, but said it was not justification to storm embassies.

U.S. officials have also condemned the privately-produced film but say it is no reason for violence.

The U.S. government cannot do anything to stop distribution of the film, which is protected under U.S. free-speech laws.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.

Photo gallery of anti-U.S. protests worldwide