United States embassies and consulates are on high alert, beefing up security and keeping forces at the ready as violent anti-U.S. protests spread across the Middle East Friday.
The violence erupted earlier in the week as the Muslim world reacted to an online movie trailer originating in California that characterizes the Prophet Mohammed as a womanizing buffoon.
"We are in a full-court press at every single one of the posts in the Middle East and anywhere else there is any chance of demonstrations after Friday services to make sure nothing bad happens -- and to have the security in place in case bad things do happen," one senior administration official told CNN.
The violence has spread to at least 10 countries, including Yemen, Iraq and Malasia.
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