Singapore condemns violent attacks in Libya and film "Innocence of Muslim"

Singapore has condemned the violent attacks on 11 September 2012 on the US Consulate in Benghazi that resulted in the tragic deaths of US Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and and three other US diplomatic staff. 

Singapore expressed its deepest condolences and sympathies to the families and friends of the victims in their time of grief. 

A spokesman from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the properties of foreign diplomatic missions and safety of foreign diplomatic staff should always be protected and guaranteed under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. 

The MFA spokesman said Singapore also strongly condemns the video, "Innocence of Muslims", which denigrates Islam. 

He added that the video is highly offensive to Muslims and Singapore deplores the actions of the makers of this insensitive video. 

Freedom of speech, he said, must be balanced with respect for religious sensitivities. 

At the same time, extreme acts by individuals should be dealt with in a calm and rational manner, and can never provide the excuse for any acts of violence.