Afghanistan bans YouTube over anti-Islam film

KABUL, Afghanistan – The Afghan government on Wednesday, September 12, banned YouTube to prevent people from watching an anti-Islam film that sparked a violent anti-American demonstration in Libya which killed the US ambassador.

“Following instructions by the ministry of information and culture, the ministry of communication has ordered all service providers to block YouTube access,” communications ministry official Aimal Marjan told AFP.

In Brussels, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton condemned as “despicable” the deadly attack on the US consulate in Benghazi while urging Libya to ensure the protection of diplomats and foreign staff.

“I am deeply shocked by the despicable attack” that claimed the lives of four US officials, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Ashton said in a statement.

“I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms.

“I call on Libya to take all necessary measures without delay to protect the lives of all diplomats and foreign staff” working in the country, she added.

“I urge the Libyan authorities to work tirelessly to bring those responsible for these killings to justice.”

A senior EU diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, also stressed “the need for more effective protection of diplomats” in line with the Vienna Convention.

The Americans were killed when Islamists, angered by a US-made film deemed offensive to Islam, late Tuesday attacked the consulate with rocket-propelled grenades before looting it and torching the building, witnesses said.

European Parliament speaker Martin Schulz, speaking in Strasbourg, also issued a strong condemnation.

“The US diplomat and his staff were in Libya to help the country to return to peace, stability and prosperity,” Schulz said.

Both he and Ashton urged the Libyan authorities to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice. – Agence France-Presse