American killed as US embassies are attacked in Libya and Egypt

An American has been killed in Libya as protesters stormed the U.S. Embassies there and in Egypt in attacks on the September 11 anniversary over a film making fun of the prophet Muhammad.

A U.S. State department spokeswoman confirmed the American's death but did not provide further details, pending notification of next-of-kin. 

The person who was killed was an State Department officer at the embassy in Benghazi. Another American worker was wounded in the hand,while the American flag at the US embassy in Egypt was tore and a black arabic inscribed flag was waved by angry protesters who chanted anti-American slogans

The demostrations were triggered by a video called Innocence of Muslims.It is shot in English, but provides Arabic subtitles.

It was written, directed and produced by Israeli-American real-estate developer Sam Bacile in California, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Bacile, 52, said he regards Islam as a 'cancer' and was able to produce the film with $5million that he raised with the help of about 100 Jewish donors.

The film, clips of which were put on the video-sharing website YouTube, depicts Muhammad as a fraud, showing him having sex and calling for massacres.

Throughout the video, 'Muhammad' - portrayed by an American actor - is branded a 'bastard,' 'rapist' and 'child molester' by other actors in the film.

Ultra-conservatives have claimed the actions are a protest against the film, which they say attacks Islam's prophet, Muhammad, and is a form of blasphemy.

Films or cartoons ridiculing Muhammad are considered highly offensive in the Muslim world, seen as both blasphemous and an insult and often precursors to violent protests. 

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement on Tuesday night that she condemned the attack in the strongest terms and has called the Libyan president to coordinate additional support to protect Americans in Libya.

She said that some are trying to justify 'this vicious behavior' as a response to inflammatory material posted on the Internet.
She said the U.S. deplores any intentional effort to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, but that there is never any justification for violent acts like this.She says the U.S. is working with partner governments around the world to protect American personnel, missions and citizens.

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