Indonesia assures security of foreign embassies

JAKARTA, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian National Police chief General Timur Pradopo said on Friday that the police guarantee the security of foreign embassies in the country as protests against anti-Muslim movie have erupted.

The assurance was made following concerns over the security situation outside foreign diplomatic mission offices in Indonesia due to the protest which caused the U.S. closed all its mission office in the country on Friday.

"Of course, it must be guaranteed. There should be no disturbance, particularly at the embassies," General Pradopo said.

"The information about possible protests came from colleagues, but the services must go on and we will ensure that there is enough security. Everything must be carried out properly - the demonstrations as well as embassy operations," he was quoted by Antara news wire as saying.

Under the law, demonstrators must inform the police three days before taking to the streets.

"The police should then decide how the rally will be carried out so there is no danger for the demonstrators, the targets, and the public. Therefore, it needs to be regulated," Pradopo explained.

Muslims groups clashed with the police outside the U.S. embassy in Jakarta on Monday, and a petrol bomb was thrown outside the embassy. Eleven policemen and one protester were injured in the clash involving over 700 protesters. Police spread tear gas and used water canon to control the mass.

The U.S. consulate office in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra was closed earlier on Wednesday after protesters blocked the road in front of the mission office and asked the U.S. government to punish the film producer.

Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim country in which most of its 238 million population are Muslim.