PARIS, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- France would close its embassies and schools in some 20 countries around world as measures to strengthen security after a French satirical weekly published cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, local media reported on Wednesday.
Speaking to France Info radio, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius expressed worries over the cartoons' publication in weekly Charlie Hebdo amid outrage over an anti-Islam movie that sparked deadly protests all over the world.
"I'm very worried ... and when I saw this I immediately issued instructions for special security precautions to be taken in all the countries where it could be a problem," the minister said.
"Is it relevant and intelligent in this environment to add fuel to the fire? The answer is no," he added.
In a statement on Tuesday, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault called on everyone to "behave responsibly."
"There is no reason for us to allow conflicts that do not concern France to enter our country," he told RTL radio.
Last November, the French weekly's office was set on fire after publishing caricature mocking the Prophet Mohammed. Muslims consider any representation of Allah or the Prophet Mohammed as offensive.
About 5 million Muslims are living in France, the largest in Europe.
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