Violent anti-American protests over an anti-Muslim film ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad have spread across the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia over the weekend, causing at least six deaths.

The demonstrations spread even to Australia where some 500 protesters clashed with riot police outside the U.S. consulate in Sydney on Saturday.

In Egypt where the first Islamic anger erupted, police on Saturday cleared out protesters who have clashed with security forces near the U.S. Embassy.

By Kim Yoon-mi (yoonmi@heraldcorp.com)