Fresh film protests in Pakistan

Hundreds of Pakistanis demonstrated in small rallies against a US-made anti-Islam film on Friday, but there was no repeat of the widespread violence seen at protests a week ago, AFP reports. Around 400 lawyers rallied in Islamabad, burning an effigy of US President Barack Obama and marching towards the city's diplomatic enclave to deliver a protest note at the US embassy. Wearing black and white headbands and carrying banners saying "Our beloved prophet, to hell with your freedom of expression", they chanted anti-US slogans and urged the government to expel the US ambassador and sever diplomatic ties with Washington. There were other small protests in cities around Pakistan, including one involving around 600 people in the eastern city of Lahore. The crudely-made "Innocence of Muslims" movie has sparked angry and at times violent demonstrations across the globe. Pakistan experienced the worst of the violence last Friday when nationwide rallies mobilised more than 45,000, many members of right-wing religious parties. At least 21 people were killed and 229 wounded, mainly in clashes with police.