U.S. Questions Decision to Print Anti-Muslim Cartoons in France

The White House on Wednesday questioned the judgment of a French weekly that published cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammed, but said the decision was no justification for violence.

"We have questions about the judgment of publishing something like this," White House spokesman Jay Carney said, while adding "it is not in any way justification for violence."

"We don't question the right of something like this to be published, we just question the judgment behind the decision to publish it," Carney said.

The decision by the French weekly Charlie Hebdo to print obscene cartoons depicting the prophet, came as fresh protests erupted in the Muslim world over an anti-Islam film made by extremist Coptic Christians in the United States.

Security was reinforced at French missions and other institutions in countries feared most at risk of a hostile reaction to the French cartoons.

French Embassies, consulates, cultural centers and international French schools in around 20 countries will be closed on Friday in case they are targeted in demonstrations following weekly Muslim prayers.

The cartoons drama erupted a week after violent reactions to the film "Innocence of Muslims" which targeted U.S. missions throughout the Muslim world, including an attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi which killed the U.S. ambassador to Libya.