Protesters in Sudan and Tunisia tried to storm Western embassies, an American fast-food restaurant was set ablaze in Lebanon, and international peacekeepers were attacked in the Sinai.
Egyptian police on Saturday cleared out protesters who have been clashing with security forces for the past four days near the U.S. Embassy. The only report Saturday of violence linked to the film came from Australia, where riot police clashed with about 200 protesters at the U.S. Consulate in Sydney.
U.S. officials say the Sept. 11 attack of the consulate in Benghazi appeared to be connected to protests elsewhere in the Arab world. U.S. investigators are trying to determine whether the strike was planned and was more than spontaneous anger over the YouTube video that denigrated the Prophet Muhammad.
Obama attempted to send a message to the protesters on the street.
"This tragic attack takes place at a time of turmoil and protest in many different countries," he said. "I have made it clear that the United States has a profound respect for people of all faiths. We stand for religious freedom. And we reject the denigration of any religion – including Islam."
But, he added: "Yet there is never any justification for violence. There is no religion that condones the targeting of innocent men and women."
He pledged to bring the attackers to justice.
"We will not waver in their pursuit," he said. "And we will never allow anyone to shake the resolve of the United States of America."
Obama's tough talk came after a week when his presidential rival, Mitt Romney, accused him of weak international leadership, especially in the Middle East and in confronting China.
