French Schools Shut across Lebanon, Army Steps up Security Measures ahead of Demos

French schools were closed in Lebanon on Friday and the army on alert outside French institutions ahead of protests against the publication of cartoons mocking the Prophet Mohammed in a French magazine.

"Due to current international tensions and the principle of precaution, our authorities in Paris have decided on the exceptional measure to close certain French establishments," the French embassy announced on Friday.

The commmunique, posted to the websites of all French schools in Lebanon, said the closure applied specifically to Friday, and instructed students and employees not to go to the schools.

A demonstration organized by Hizbullah kicked off after Friday Muslim prayers in the eastern city of Baalbek.

Another one, called by Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir, kicked off later in Beirut.

An Agence France Presse correspondent reported seeing military vehicles and a large army and police presence outside the French high school and cultural mission in the northern city of Tripoli.

The Lebanese army has also stepped up security measures to protect the French ambassador's residence in Beirut with military vehicles.

And an AFP correspondent in the southern city of Sidon said an army unit was deployed around the French cultural center and armed guards posted at the gates. Over the past week, more than 30 people have been killed in worldwide protests, largely targeting the United States, over a U.S.-made film, "Innocence of Muslims," which mocks Islam.

Since then, tensions have mounted further with the publication on Wednesday by the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo of cartoons mocking both the film and Mohammed.