French paper to publish cartoons of Prophet Mohammed

A French satirical newspaper has announced plans to publish cartoons of the Prophet Mahommed in its next issue on Wednesday. French Interior Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault disapproved this decision and has called for a sense of responsibility after violent protests took place in Paris against the movie “Innocence of Muslims”. The editor in chief of satirical paper Charlie Hebdo Stéphane Charbonnier said he wasn’t worried about the potential consequences of this publication: “These cartoons will only offend those who want to be offended.” France's Muslim Council said they were appalled by the newspaper's decision. French Foreign Affairs Minister Laurent Fabius, currently on an official visit in Cairo, said that the French government does not encourage this sort of provocation. However, he stated: “Is the freedom of press a provocation? “I can’t see the use of such a provocation and I condemn it. At the same time, I respect the freedom of press.” According to French sources, the newspaper’s headquarters are now heavily guarded to prevent attacks. Charlie Hebdo’s offices were completely destroyed last year in a petrol bomb attack, a day after the publication named the Prophet Muhammed as its "editor-in-chief" for its next issue.