France to close premises in 20 countries over Prophet cartoons

France said it would temporarily close its embassies and schools in 20 countries on Friday after a French magazine published  cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, a move it fears will further inflame tensions over a film mocking the prophet.

"We have indeed decided as a precautionary measure to close our premises, embassies, consulates, cultural centres and schools," a Foreign Ministry spokesman said of the shut-down on Friday, prayer day across the Muslim world.