Yemen, Iraq see new anti-American protests

SANAA, Yemen (AP) -- Yemen and Iraq are among the scenes of the latest anti-American protests to erupt over an anti-Islam film.

Hundreds of protesters angered by the film stormed the U.S. Embassy compound in Yemen's capital today and burned the American flag.

Yemen's president quickly apologized and vowed to track down the culprits.

In Iraq, several hundred Shiite hardliners protested in their Baghdad stronghold. The leader of an Iranian-backed Shiite militia is threatening anti-U.S. attacks.

In Iran, about 50 protesters shouted "Death to America" outside the Swiss Embassy, which looks after U.S. diplomatic interests there.

Protesters clashed today with police near the U.S. Embassy in Cairo. Although the protesters were able to reach the embassy Tuesday, police kept them away this time.

A Libyan official is saying today that the attack that killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans on Tuesday at the consulate in Benghazi was an organized operation by heavily-armed militants who used the protest against the film as a cover for their action.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton today sharpened her criticism of the film that led to the protests. She says it is "disgusting and reprehensible" -- but that the U.S. would never stop Americans from expressing their views, and that it's no excuse for violence.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)